Comportamento de híbridos de milho sob alta infestação de cigarrinha (Dalbulus maidis)

Abstract

A corn crop (Zea mays) has been suffering from high spittlebug infections (Dalbulus maidis), suffers direct damage as a sucking insect, but with great importance as a maize bushy stunt phytoplasma vector insect, Spiroplasmas kunkelii in addition to the Maize Raiado Thin Virus (MRFV). The objective of the work was to evaluate the behavior of corn hybrids under conditions of high infestation by Dalbulus maidis. 32 hybrids were taxed with 4 replications. The infestation data were collected up to 15, 20 and 30 days after sowing, counting the number of D. specimens per plant, whereas the agronomic performance data of the hybrids were collected at the end of corn cultivation. Differences in infestation between hybrids until they are noticed up to 30 days after sowing. As a function of time, five hybrids did not show a significant increase in the pest incidence. As for the agronomic or hybrid aspects described differentiated behavior, confirm the genetic differences regarding the tolerance of the materials. All available plant characteristics showed differences between hybrids. Under conditions of high infestation by D. maidis cigarettes as plants of all hybrids, specific characteristics such as stunting, increase of ears, tipping and reduction in stem diameter.