Inheritance of resistance to rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae L.) in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Losses of grain in storage due to insects are well-recognized problem. Infestation of store pest reduces quality of grain on one side and viability of seed on the other. Use of fumigants increases cost of the produce and makes environment unhealthy. Exploitation of available genetic variability for store pest resistance is very much essential to minimize the use of fumigants. Wheat, an important staple food, is also attacked by a number of store pest and rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae L.) being the most destructive. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to identify wheat genotypes possessing resistant to rice weevil. Crosses were attempted to generate F1, F2, BC1 and BC2 generations and genetics of resistance to rice weevil was studied. Test of allelism revealed that resistance to weevil infestation is controlled by two dominant genes and the genes interacted with each other in duplicate manner.

Keywords

• bread wheat
• rice weevil (sitophilus oryzae l.)
• resistance
• allelic relationship