Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda 1: Management, Foliar Damage, and Grain Yield of Lines of Sorghum bicolor

Damage by fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), causes sorghum Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench (Poaceae) yield loss and decreases crop value, causing great economic losses to growers. Foliar damage was evaluated with natural infestation by fall armyworms in experimental lines of sorghum. Foliar damage was analyzed using a Davis scoring scale and grain yield was evaluated 120 days after planting. Data were processed with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and correlation using Spearman test with R software. ELS 254-1 yielded most (9.92 tons/ha) and a value of 1 on Davis scale with less foliar damage with 19.75%; ELS -154 yielded least (2.45 tons/ha) and had most foliar damage (25.93%) and a value of 2 on the Davis scale. All experimental lines were managed the same during the crop cycle. Outstanding lines ELS -18, ELS -103-1, ELS -143-1, ELS -197, ELS -203-3, ELS -284, and Negro-Soruyo had less damage by fall armyworms and good yield and could be a source of useful germplasm in breeding programs. Sorghum lines resistant to fall armyworms that yield well in regions in which they are better such as in southeastern Coahuila, will result in a less cost to growers by less need to control the pest and greater economic benefit.