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ARS Home » Plains Area » Brookings, South Dakota » Integrated Cropping Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #194850
Title: Resistance to Rhopalosiphum padi (Homoptera: Aphididae) in Triticale and Triticale-Derived Wheat Lines Resistant to Diuraphis noxia (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Author
item Hesler, Louis
item HALEY, SCOTT - COLORADO STATE UNIV
item NKONGOLO, KABWE - LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY
item PEAIRS, FRANK - COLORADO STATE UNIV

Submitted to: Journal of Entomological Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/18/2006
Publication Date: 4/1/2007
Citation: Hesler, L.S., Haley, S.D., Nkongolo, K.K., Peairs, F.B. 2007. Resistance to Rhopalosiphum padi (Homoptera: Aphididae) in Triticale and Triticale-Derived Wheat Lines Resistant to Diuraphis noxia (Homoptera: Aphididae). Journal of Entomological Science. 42(2):217-227 (April 2007).

Interpretive Summary: The bird cherry-oat aphid (BCOA) and the Russian wheat aphid (RWA) are common insect pests of wheat and can co-occur at relatively high levels within wheat fields. Resistance to both aphids has been identified in a triticale line known as ‘N1185’ and in some other triticale accessions. We tested for resistance to BCOA using wheat lines that had been derived from crosses between N1185 and ‘Lamar’ wheat and then selected for resistance to RWA. Resistance was measured as a lower number of BCOA that accumulated on plants over 13 days compared to that of an aphid-susceptible wheat (either Lamar or ‘Arapahoe’ wheat). Tests confirmed N1185 as a strong source of resistance to BCOA, and confirmed that Lamar was susceptible to BCOA. Tests of triticale-derived wheat lines showed that three of 13 lines reduced BCOA numbers per plant, with resistance levels comparable to N1185 in two of the three lines. The deposition of newborn aphids was measured over a 24-hour period, but this measure of resistance did not differ among lines. The successful transmission of resistance to BCOA in some wheat lines indicates that N1185 triticale may be a viable source of resistance to BCOA for small-grain breeding programs.

Technical Abstract: Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (bird cherry-oat aphid) and Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov) (Russian wheat aphid) are common aphid pests of wheat and can co-occur at relatively high levels within wheat fields. Resistance to both aphids has been identified in ‘N1185’ (PI 386148) and other triticale accessions. We tested for resistance to R. padi using wheat lines that had been derived from crosses between N1185 and ‘Lamar’ wheat and then selected for resistance to D. noxia. Resistance was measured as a lower number of R. padi per plant compared to that of a susceptible check (Lamar or ‘Arapahoe’ wheat) over 13 d. Tests confirmed N1185 as a strong source of resistance to R. padi, and showed that Lamar was not resistant to R. padi. Three of 13 triticale-derived wheat lines reduced the number of R. padi per plant, with resistance levels comparable to N1185 in two of the three lines. Nymphiposition by R. padi measured over a 24-h period did not differ among lines. The successful transmission of resistance to R. padi in some wheat lines indicates that N1185 triticale may be a viable source of aphid resistance for small-grain breeding programs.