Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Charleston, South Carolina » Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #144554
Title: EVALUATION OF PLANT INTRODUCTIONS AND DRY-FLESHED SWEETPOTATO ENTRIES FOR RESISTANCE TO SOIL INSECT PESTS IN 2000

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

Submitted to: Arthropod Management Tests
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/26/2003
Publication Date: 11/26/2003
Citation: Jackson, D.M.; Bohac, J.R.; Mueller, J.D. 2003. Evaluation of plant introductions and dry fleshed sweetpotato germplasm for resistance to soil insect pests, 2000. Arthropod Manage. Tests, Volume 28, Report No. M14, Online Journal at http://www.entsoc.org/pubs/index.html.

Interpretive Summary: Most commercial dry-fleshed sweetpotato cultivars 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 dry-fleshed sweetpotato entries from the USDA ARS/Clemson sweetpotato breeding program at the U. S. Vegetable Laboratory (USVL), Charleston, SC. Thirty one sweetpotato germplasm entries, including three insect susceptible check cultivars, were evaluated for insect resistance in replicated field trials at Charleston, SC. Several of the advanced, dry fleshed germplasm 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: This report describes the field evaluation of dry fleshed plant introductions (PI) and advanced dry fleshed sweetpotato germplasm from the USDA ARS/Clemson sweetpotato breeding program at the U. S. Vegetable Laboratory (USVL), Charleston, SC. This experiment included Cuttings of two insect susceptible, moist orange fleshed check cultivars ('Beauregard' and 'SC1149 19'), an insect susceptible, dry fleshed check ('Picadito'), two insect resistant, dry fleshed checks ('White Regal' and 'Sumor'), and 23 dry fleshed advanced entries that were evaluated for insect resistance in replicated field trials at the USVL. There were highly significant entry effects for percent uninjured roots, WDS index (Wireworm, Diabrotica, Systena), percent grub damaged (Plectris aliena Chapin and/or Phyllophaga spp.) roots, and percent flea beetle damaged (Chaetocnema confinis Crotch) roots, but not for percent sweetpotato weevil damaged (Cylas formicarius elegantulus) infestation. Twenty one advanced germplasm lines had a significantly higher percentage of undamaged roots than 'Beauregard' or 'SC 1149 19'. All of the dry fleshed breeding lines and cultivars had a significantly lower WDS rating than 'SC1149 19'. Twenty two entries had a significantly lower percentage infestation by flea beetles and white grubs than did 'SC1149 19'.