Resistance ofBt-maize (MON810) against the stem borersBusseola fusca(Fuller) andChilo partellus(Swinhoe) and its yield performance in Kenya.
A study was conducted to assess the performance of maize hybrids withBtevent MON810 (Bt-hybrids) against the maize stem borerBusseola fusca(Fuller) in a biosafety greenhouse (BGH) and against the spotted stem borerChilo partellus(Swinhoe) under confined field trials (CFT) in Kenya for three seasons during 2013-2014. The study comprised 14 non-commercialized hybrids (seven pairs of near-isogenicBtand non-Bthybrids) and four non-Bt commercial hybrids. Each plant was artificially infested twice with 10 first instar larvae. In CFT, plants were infested withC. partellus14 and 24 days after planting; in BGH, plants were infested withB. fusca21 and 31 days after planting. In CFT, the sevenBthybrids significantly differed from their non-Bt counterparts for leaf damage, number of exit holes, percent tunnel length, and grain yield. When averaged over three seasons,Bt-hybrids gave the highest grain yield (9.7 t ha-1), followed by non-Bthybrids (6.9 t ha-1) and commercial checks (6 t ha-1).Bt-hybrids had the least number of exit holes and percent tunnel length in all the seasons as compared to the non-Bthybrids and commercial checks. In BGH trials,Bt-hybrids consistently suffered less leaf damage than their non-Bt near isolines. The study demonstrated that MON810 was effective in controllingB. fuscaandC. partellus.Bt-maize, therefore, has great potential to reduce the risk of maize grain losses in Africa due to stem borers, and will enable the smallholder farmers to produce high-quality grain with increased yield, reduced insecticide inputs, and improved food security.
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), ICRAF House, UN Avenue, Gigiri, PO Box 1041, 00621, Village Market, Nairobi, Kenya; International Center of Insect Physiology & Ecology (icipe), ILRI Campus, Gurd Shola, PO Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Tadele
T
Tefera
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), ICRAF House, UN Avenue, Gigiri, PO Box 1041, 00621, Village Market, Nairobi, Kenya.
Stephen
S
Mugo
Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), 340-90100, Katumani, Machakos, Kenya.
Murenga
M
Mwimali
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), ICRAF House, UN Avenue, Gigiri, PO Box 1041, 00621, Village Market, Nairobi, Kenya.
Bruce
B
Anani
Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), 340-90100, Katumani, Machakos, Kenya.
Regina
R
Tende
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), ICRAF House, UN Avenue, Gigiri, PO Box 1041, 00621, Village Market, Nairobi, Kenya.
Yoseph
Y
Beyene
Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), 340-90100, Katumani, Machakos, Kenya.
Simon
S
Gichuki
Africa Agricultural Technology Foundation, P.O. Box 30709-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
Sylvester O
SO
Oikeh
Africa Agricultural Technology Foundation, P.O. Box 30709-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
Francis
F
Nang'ayo
Africa Agricultural Technology Foundation, P.O. Box 30709-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
James
J
Okeno
Monsanto Nairobi, P.O. Box 47686, Nairobi, Kenya.
Evans
E
Njeru
Monsanto South Africa (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 69933, Bryanston, 2021, South Africa.
Kiru
K
Pillay
Monsanto South Africa (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 69933, Bryanston, 2021, South Africa.
Barbara
B
Meisel
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), ICRAF House, UN Avenue, Gigiri, PO Box 1041, 00621, Village Market, Nairobi, Kenya.
B M
BM
Prasanna
Bt-maize; Busseola fusca; Chilo partellus; Confined field trial; GM crops; MON810