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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Charleston, South Carolina » Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #130389
Title: EVALUATION OF ADVANCED SWEETPOTATO ENTRIES FOR RESISTANCE TO SOIL INSECT PESTS, 2001

Author
item Jackson, D
item Bohac, Janice
item MUELLER, JOHN - CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Arthropod Management Tests
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/4/2002
Publication Date: 9/4/2002
Citation: JACKSON, D.M., BOHAC, J., MUELLER, J.D. EVALUATION OF ADVANCED SWEETPOTATO ENTRIES FOR RESISTANCE TO SOIL INSECT PESTS, 2001. ARTHROPOD MANAGEMENT TESTS. 2002. v.27. Report No. M-14.

Interpretive Summary: Most commercial sweetpotato varieties have little resistance to soil insect pests, which can severely limit marketable yields. Thus, there is a need to develop new varieties that have increased levels of insect resistance. This report describes the field evaluation of advanced sweetpotato clones from the USDA-ARS/Clemson program at Charleston, SC, 2000. Twenty-seven entries, including four insect-susceptible check cultivars, were evaluated for insect resistance in replicated field trials at Charleston, SC. Some of the advanced lines were more resistant to soil insect pests than were the susceptible check varieties. The most promising of these advanced clones will be developed as breeding lines or new sweetpotato varieties.

Technical Abstract: Most commercial sweetpotato varieties have little resistance to soil insect pests, which can severely limit marketable yields. Thus, there is a need to develop new varieties that have increased levels of insect resistance. This report describes the field evaluation of advanced sweetpotato entries from the USDA-ARS/Clemson program at the U. S. Vegetable Laboratory (USVL), ,Charleston, SC, 2001. Four insect-susceptible check cultivars ('Beauregard', 'Garnet', 'Hernandez', and SC1149-19), an insect-resistant check ('Regal'), and 22 advanced entries were evaluated for insect resistance in replicated field trials at the USVL. There were highly significant entry effects for WDS index (Wireworm, Diabrotica, Systena), percent flea beetle-damaged (Chaetocnema confinis Crotch) roots, percent grub-damaged (Plectris aliena Chapin and/or Phyllophaga spp.) roots, percent weevil-damaged (Cylas formicarius elegantulus [Summers]) roots, and doverall percentage of undamaged roots. All advanced entries had significantly lower infestations of WDS, flea beetles, and sweetpotato weevils, and a higher percentage of uninjured roots than SC1149-19. Seven entries had a significantly lower percentage of flea beetles, and all advanced entries had a significantly lower percentage of white grubs than 'Beauregard'. All advanced entries were as resistant as 'Regal' for WDS.