Identification of resistant rice genotype against leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenee

An experiment was conducted to identify efficient resistance source against leaf folder through field screening of rice genotypes during kharif 2016 and 2017 at Main Rice Research Station, AAU, Nawagam, Gujarat, India. Total of 18 and 16 rice genotypes were screened during kharif 2016 and 2017, following standard evaluation system (SES). The screening results showed that the minimum per cent damaged leaves were recorded in resistance check, W-1263 (13.88), whereas tested materials like CN-1231-11-7 (18.02), and MP-209 (18.64) were on par with resistant check followed by NWGR-13017 (23.64) during kharif 2016. Likewise, during 2017 screening results showed the NWGR-13017 rice genotype per cent damage score (15.75) was parallel with resistant check W-1263 (15.10). Hence, it is suggested that the genotype NWGR-13017 has exhibited promising resistance reaction against leaf folder in our experiment. Further to validate our results, genotype NWGR-13017 was tested in multiple location in India through AICRIP trial in 2017 and results showed that this genotype found promising in 7 out of 11 locations tested during kharif 2017. Therefore, this rice genotype NWGR-13017 (SK-20 x IET-19297) could serve as a viable source for development of resistant varieties against leaf folder.