Screening of Promising Rice Genotypes against Asian Rice Gall Midge (Orseolia oryzae) Biotype-4
V. Ramya Sri *
Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Agricultural College, Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh, India.
C. Sandhya Rani
Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Agricultural College, Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh, India.
P. Udaya Babu
Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, Agricultural Research Station, Ragolu, India.
K. Madhu Kumar
Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, Agricultural Research Station, Ragolu, India.
A. P. Padmakumari
ICAR- Indian Institute of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Asian rice gall midge, Orseolia oryzae (Wood-Mason) is an important constraint in endemic rice-growing areas and identification of resistant genotypes under field conditions is important for resistance breeding. This study evaluated 36 rice genotypes together with six checks against biotype-4 under natural field infestation at the Agricultural Research Station, Ragolu, during the 2024 and 2025 kharif seasons. An augmented block design was used and silver shoot incidence was recorded at 30, 50 and 65 days after transplanting. Resistance reactions were classified using the Standard Evaluation System based on observations at 65 days after transplanting. Gall midge incidence increased with crop stage and differed between seasons. In the pooled analysis, six entries were highly resistant, two resistant, four moderately resistant, 13 moderately susceptible, 14 susceptible and three highly susceptible. Among the 36 test genotypes, eight showed low pooled damage: RGL-7001, RGL 7002, RGL-7003, RGL-7004, RGL-7005, RGL 7008, RGL 7036 and MR 1523. Four of these genotypes were highly resistant and four were moderately resistant in the pooled assessment. Significant differences among entries were also detected in the augmented block analysis. The observed variation indicates useful phenotypic diversity in gall midge response and identifies promising material for further validation across locations and gall midge populations before use as donor parents in resistance-breeding programmes.
Keywords: Orseolia oryzae, host-plant resistance, screening, genotypes, Oryza sativa, silver shoots, biotype-4