Identification of Resistance Sources against Yellow Stem Borer (Scirpophaga incertulas Walker) in Rice under Field Conditions

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a crucial food crop, but its productivity is greatly affected by insect pests, particularly the yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker). This study evaluated rice cultivars for resistance to this pest under natural field conditions during the Rabi 2025-26 season at the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Warangal, Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTAU). Thirty rice cultivars, together with seven resistant and susceptible checks, were evaluated in a randomised block design (RBD) with two replications. Yellow stem borer (YSB) damage was recorded at the vegetative stage at 30 and 50 days after transplanting (DAT) and at the reproductive stage. Based on dead-heart incidence, five cultivars were classified as highly resistant, seven as resistant, ten as moderately resistant, seven as moderately susceptible, and one as susceptible. Based on white-ear incidence, five cultivars were highly resistant, seven were resistant, nine were moderately resistant, seven were moderately susceptible, and two were susceptible. WGL-1957 recorded the lowest dead-heart incidence and the highest grain yield, whereas IET 29877 recorded the lowest white-ear incidence and the second-highest grain yield. These resistant cultivars may serve as donors in breeding programmes for yellow-stem-borer resistance and may support integrated pest management strategies.