Evaluation of Some Promising Soybean Genotypes to Infestation with Cotton Leafworm (<i>Spodoptera littoralis</i>) under Field Conditions

Abstract

A two-year study was carried out in Giza Agricultural Experiments and Research Station, Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Giza, Egypt in the 2020 and 2021 summer seasons to evaluate the relative tolerance of ten soybean genotypes for cotton leafworm infestation under field conditions. Soybean genotypes H 11 L 145 , H 155 , H 113 , H 4 L 4 , H 15 L 17 , H 129 , H 30 , H 19 L 96 , Giza 111, and Crawford were distributed in randomized complete blocks design with three replications. Soybean genotypes differed significantly for cotton leafworm at the 6 th , 7 th , and 8 th week from sowing. Low values of cotton leafworm assemblages were recorded for H 113 , H 4 L 4 , H 15 L 17 , Giza 111, and H 129 . Low percentages of the larval survival number and weight, as well as the number of the survival of pupa were recorded by feeding on leaves of genotypes H 4 F 4 , H 15 L 17 , and Giza 111 under laboratory conditions. There were significant differences among the studied genotypes in most yield attributes in both seasons. Soybean genotypes H 15 L 17 , Giza 111, H 113 , H 129 , H 19 L 96 , and H 4 L 4 gave higher seed yield per ha, meanwhile soybean genotypes H 155 , H 19 L 96 , H 30 , Giza 111, and H 15 L 17 had higher seed oil content than the other genotypes in both seasons. The number and weight of larvae surviving, as well as the number of pupa survival, were negatively correlated with leaf total phenols and seed oil content. It can be concluded that soybean genotypes H 15 L 17 , H 4 L 4 , and Giza 111 are promising genotypes with desirable seed oil content for tolerating cotton leafworm infestation in breeding programs.