Estimation of Genetic Variability in Maize Genotypes under Infestation by the Maize Storage Weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Using Multivariate Analysis

The maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais, is an important field-to-store pest of maize; accounting for huge grain losses globally. Information on genetic variability and trait relationship is crucial to developing farmer-friendly approaches to mitigating the menace of the insect in sub-Saharan Africa. Sitophilus zeamais. Twenty-one maize genotypes were infested to investigate genetic variability for reaction to S. zeamais and the relationship of nutritional quality with insect attack. F­1 generation insects were introduced into test tubes containing 100 g of whole grains per genotype. Completely Randomized Design was used replicated twice. Nutritional components, seed weight (g), and data from feeding activity were subjected to principal component, cluster, and genotype × trait (GT) biplot analyses. The highest genetic distance (GD) was between NG/SA/07/122 and each of EVDT-Y2008 STR and the local check. Four clusters were obtained. The GT biplot revealed positive association of grain quality with tolerance traits, and genotypes EVDT-Y2008-STR, IFE-TZEE-WSTR, NA/SA/07/018, NG/SA/07/022, NG/SA/07/140, NG/SA/07/184, TZM 212, and TZB-SR B. Maize reaction to S. zeamais can be influenced through biofortification using the mentioned genotypes. Further research should focus on determining possible jettisoning of quality to improve resistance to S. zeamais.