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Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 6/24/2007 Publication Date: 12/20/2007 Citation: Mou, B. 2007. Leafminer-resistant spinach germplasm 03-04-63. HortScience. Vol. 42(7):1717-1718. Interpretive Summary: The Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture announces the release of a spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) breeding line 03-04-63. 03-04-63 is a semi-flat type of spinach with dark green, semi-erect leaves. The line may be suitable for commercial production, and is suitable for use as a source of resistance to leafminers in the development of new hybrids or cultivars. It was developed at the United States Agricultural Research Station in Salinas, California by Beiquan Mou. Leafminers are important insect pests of many agricultural crops throughout the world. The predominant species in the major spinach production areas in central California was identified to be Liriomyza langei. Damages caused by adult sting and larval mining of leaves reduce photosynthetic capacity, render spinach leaves unmarketable, and provide an entrance for disease organisms. With the rising demand and increasing production for spinach products, there is an urgent need for leafminer resistance in spinach. 03-04-63 had significantly fewer leafminer mines per plant and fewer mines per unit plant weight than commercial cultivars tested in the field in four trials over three years. Limited samples of seed are available for distribution to all interested parties for research purposes, including the development and commercialization of new cultivars. Technical Abstract: The Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture announces the release of a spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) breeding line 03-04-63. 03-04-63 is a semi-flat type of spinach with dark green, semi-erect leaves. The line may be suitable for commercial production, and is suitable for use as a source of resistance to leafminers in the development of inbred lines, hybrids, or cultivars. It was developed at the United States Agricultural Research Station in Salinas, California by Beiquan Mou. Leafminers are important insect pests of many agricultural crops throughout the world. The predominant species in the major spinach production areas in central California was identified to be Liriomyza langei. Damages caused by adult sting and larval mining of leaves reduce photosynthetic capacity, render spinach leaves unmarketable, and provide an entrance for disease organisms. With the rising demand and increasing production for spinach products, there is an urgent need for leafminer resistance in spinach. A recurrent selection breeding method was used to increase the level of resistance to leafminers. The breeding line 03-04-63 was planted at the Hartnell Field in July 2004 and at the Agricultural Research Station of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in August 2004, August 2005, and August 2006 in Salinas, Calif. to evaluate its resistance to leafminers in the field. 03-04-63 had significantly fewer leafminer mines per plant and fewer mines per unit plant weight than commercial cultivars tested. Limited samples of seed are available for distribution to all interested parties for research purposes, including the development and commercialization of new cultivars. Samples will also be deposited in the National Plant Germplasm System. |
