EVALUATION OF RESISTANT LEVELS OF DIFFERENT RICE BREEDING MATERIALS AGAINST RICE GALL MIDGE (Orseolia oryzae)

Abstract

The rice gall midge (RGM), Orseolia oryzae (Diptera: Cecidanyiidae) is one of the major pest of rice in Asia including Sri Lanka. In this study, screening of rice lines and varieties were done against RGM to identify resistant level of selected rice lines for RGM. Total number of hills and the number of galls were recorded and percentages were compared. As infestation ranges, 16%- 17% and 18%-30% were showed for 2020 Yala and 2020-21 Maha seasons respectively. In 2020 Yala, and 2020-21 Maha, 1585 and 1098 breeding materials were tested separately. Out of them, 8 were resistance, 50 were resistance/ moderate resistance and 88 were moderately resistance. Furthermore, 4 lines were identified as resistant for RGM through accession lines those that can be used as resistant sources to RGM after identifying their mechanism of resistance. The findings of current study provide better insights for future breeding programs while ensuring sustainability.