Generation means analysis of phenolic compounds in maize grain and susceptibility to maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais infestation

Abstract

Generations derived from crosses between inbred lines were used to analyze the genetics of hydroxycinnamic acid accumulation in maize grain and susceptibility to infestation by the maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais. There was a significant negative correlation between phenolic content and susceptibility of the grain to weevil infestation, and the estimates of genetic parameters indicate that a close relationship between those two traits exists. Key words: insect resistance, maize, maize weevil, genetics, phenolics.