Screening maize hybrids for fall armyworm resistance and yield performance in southern Ethiopia

Abstract The study was conducted to identify best fall armyworm (FAW) tolerant and high yielding hybrids under natural infestation in the lawlands of Gamo, Southern Ethiopia. Thirty-two lowland tropical and sub-tropical maize hybrids, evaluated under tropical region were used in this study. obtained from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), together with local check, were evaluated under rainfed conditions supplemented with irrigation to prevent prolonged dry condition and ensure uniform germination. The experiment was laid out in an 8 × 4 alpha lattice design with three replications. Data on phenology, grain yield, and FAW resistance–related traits were collected on a plot basis. Combined analysis of variance across locations revealed significant (P < 0.05) differences among hybrids and among locations for most measured traits. Most of the evaluated maize hybrids exhibited moderate resistance to FAW feeding, whereas the local check was highly susceptible to FAW infestation. Hybrids AS2001_1, AS2001_11, AS2001_3, AS2001_19, and AS2001_21 recorded the highest grain yield (8622-9301 kg/ha), greater numbers of ears per plant (1.4–1.5), and favorable plant (2-3-3-3) and ear aspect (2-3-2.8) scores. Grain yield reduction and poor plant and ear aspects were strongly and significantly associated with FAW injury across the tested hybrids. Compared with the mean grain yield of the newly introduced hybrids, the local check showed a reduction in grain yield ranging from 5 to 44.2%. These results highlighted substantial genetic variation in FAW resistance–related traits. The findings provide valuable insights into FAW larval preference and performance among maize hybrids; however, further multi-location and multi-season validation is required before variety advancement can be made with these results and release.