Location: Peanut and Small Grains Research Unit
Project Number: 3070-22000-017-015-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2021
End Date: Sep 16, 2025
Objective:
Conduct host plant suitability studies for the major cereal and grass hosts of Sypha maydis, the hedgehog grain aphid. Host suitability studies will determine the importance of the host to the aphid such as reproductive capacity and damage assessment which have never been completed for this newly emerging aphid that is infesting small grains in the Western half of the Great Plains. In the process of this research we will also determine if cross-resistance genes maintained in cereal crops and known to be effective against the greenbug, Russian wheat aphid and sugarcane aphid might also be effective against Sypha madis.
(3) Assess the bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) distribution in the Southern Plains and population genetic diversity, and (4) Determine the presence, density, and diversity of beneficial Hymenoptera in wheat and sorghum in the Southern Plains.
Approach:
All cereal crops such as sorghum, millet, barley, Sudan grasses, wheat, oats, rye, and teff grown in the Great plains will be evaluated for hedgehog grain aphid reproductive capacity, damage potential, and if cross resistance exists from sources know to be resistant against the greenbug, Russian wheat aphid and sugarcane aphid. Sources of cross-resistance to Sypha maidis within this cereals should be evaluated, identified and utilized by University and Sorghum Industry plant breeders. This will ensure that small grains producers will have effective, environmentally safe method of preventing economic loss from Sypha maydis.
