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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Genetics and Breeding Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #182359
Title: EVALUATION OF PEARL MILLET GERMPLASM FOR CHINCH BUG RESISTANCE

Author
item Ni, Xinzhi
item Wilson, Jeffrey - Jeff
item RAJEWSKI, JOHN - UNIV OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN
item BUNTIN, G - UNIV OF GEORGIA

Submitted to: Entomological Society of America Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2005
Publication Date: 12/15/2005
Citation: Ni, X., Wilson, J., Rajewski, J., Buntin, D. 2005. Evaluation of pearl millet germplasm for chinch bug resistance [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, Dec. 17, 2005, Fort Lauderdale, FL, abstract 0807.

Interpretive Summary: not required

Technical Abstract: Chinch bug [Blissus leucopterus leucopterus (Say) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae)] is one of the most important insect pests for pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L. R. Br.) production in the southeastern and central U.S. The insect causes stunting and necrosis of the young seedlings, and loss of crop stand in severe infestations. Insect numbers, visual stunting and necrosis ratings, crop stand losses were used to determine chinch bug resistance among sixteen selected pearl millet germplasm (including inbreds and hybrids). Three of the sixteen entries showed resistance to chinch bug feeding. In contrast, two susceptible entries showed over 60% of stand loss. In addition, chlorophyll content and photosynthesis efficiency were measured to elucidate the mechanism of chinch bug resistance.