Resistance of ten local probolinggo tobacco accessions to armyworm (Spodoptera litura F.) in field

Abstract

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabaccum L.) is an important cash crop of Indonesia. This commodity is great economic importance and a source of revenue, employment, and foreign exchange. Tobacco production in Indonesia faces several obstacles, one of which is damage caused by armyworm (Spodoptera litura) infestation. The armyworm cause destructive effects on plant so that it is necessary to obtain information regarding the types of tobacco, especially new tobacco varieties which are resistant to armyworm. Therefore, the production of tobacco could be improved. This research aimed to identify the resistance of local Probolinggo tobacco to armyworm so that they can be utilized to develop armyworm resistant tobacco and to improve productivity. A study to test the field resistance of local Probolinggo Tobacco was conducted in Besuk and Krejengan Village, Probolinggo. Eight accessions with two controlling accessions (Paiton 1 and 2) were used. The results showed that the average percentage of armyworm infestation on Vis-à-vis tobacco accession was approximately 9.0 up to 17.33 %. The most attracting accessions are DB Srongsong Sadhana, DB Srongsong Gajah, and Paiton 1 with the percentage of infestation of 19.50; 14.34 and 14.17 %, respectively. The lowest armyworm infestation was found in two tobacco accessions i.e. Samporis and Jimamwut. The level of resistance based on Chiang and Talekar showed that Samporis and Jimamwut were moderately resistant to armyworm, but accession DB Serongsong Sadhana dan Paiton 1 were susceptible. Samporis and Jimamwut can be developed as candidates to face army worm infestation.