Several species of Chilo are serious pests (stem borers) of sorghum, maize, rice and sugar-cane. Studies on genetics of resistance to Chilo species have been carried out only In a few cases. In maize and sorghum resistance to C. partellus, measured in terms of leaf-feeding, dead hearts and stem-tunnelling is polygenic. Both additive and non-additive gene effects are important in the inheritance of resistance to C. partellus. However, the importance of additive and non-additive gene effects in determining resistance, varies with the resistance parameter in two crops. Resistance to leaf-feeding and stem-tunnelling is governed predominantly by additive genes, while both additive and non-additive genes are important in the inheritance of dead hearts. The non-additive gene action, however, is of higher magnitude and more important in the inheritance of resistance to dead hearts in maize than that in sorghum. Recurrent selection using S1, S2 lines would be efficient in increasing levels of resistance both in sorghum and maize. Tolerance should be considered as an important factor in sorghum breeding for borer resistance.

The level of resistance in rice to C. suppressalis is low to moderate and appears to be under polygenic control. A recurrent selection programme using male sterile lines could be effective in improving the level of resistance. No information is available on genetics of resistance to Chilo spp. in sugar-cane.