Evaluation of an antibiotic factor in maize silks as a means of corn earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) suppression [Zea mays, Heliothis zea]

The objective of this study was to further evaluate in vivo (field culture) the maize, Zea mays L., silk flavone glycoside, maysin, that has been shown to inhibit the growth and increase the mortality of corn earworm (CEW), Heliothis zea (boddie), larvae with in vitro experiments. Broad-sense heritability estimated for maysin concentration was 79.8%. Predicted gain per cycle from S sub(1) recurrent selection with a winter nursery based on this heritability estimate would be 25.7%. Although a nonsignificant correlation was found in this heritability estimate would be 25.7%. Although a nonsignificant correlation was found in this study between maysin concentration and CEW penetration, our results show that maysin content could be increased through cyclic selection. Concentrations of maysin might be elevated through breeding to a level that could be effective in CEW control.