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ARS Home » Plains Area » Manhattan, Kansas » Center for Grain and Animal Health Research » Stored Product Insect and Engineering Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #296852
Title: Resistance of selected potato genotypes to the potato psyllid (Hemiptera: Triozidae)

Author
item Diaz-Montano, John
item VINDIOLA, BEATRIZ - University Of California
item DREW, NICHOLE - University Of California
item Novy, Richard - Rich
item MILLER, J. CREIGHTON - Texas A&M University
item TRUMBLE, JOHN - University Of California

Submitted to: American Journal of Potato Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/14/2013
Publication Date: 7/18/2014
Citation: Diaz-Montano, J., Vindiola, B.G., Drew, N., Novy, R.G., Miller, J., Trumble, J.T. 2014. Resistance of selected potato genotypes to the potato psyllid (Hemiptera: Triozidae). American Journal of Potato Research. 91(4):363-376.

Interpretive Summary: The potato psyllid is an insect pest of potatoes that causes significant economic losses by direct feeding on leaves and pathogen transmission. Traditional methods of control such as chemical insecticides have led the insect to develop resistance to pesticides and decrease populations of natural enemies. For these reasons, it is critical to find alternative methods for control, such as host plant resistance which is the ability that has a plant to reduce infestation and/or damage caused by an insect pest. The characterization of resistance of different potato genotypes to the potato psyllid was studied to understand the categories of resistance. Reduced numbers of potato psyllid adults were found on all the resistant genotypes evaluated compared with the susceptible genotype, which indicates a strong antibiotic effect. Additionally, potato psyllid females laid significantly fewer eggs on the genotype ‘P2-4’ than on the susceptible genotype, a category of host plant resistance termed antixenosis. These results show that the use of resistant cultivars may offer a long-term solution for controlling the potato psyllid and the bacterial pathogen it transmits and reduce insecticide applications.

Technical Abstract: The characterization of resistance of selected potato, Solanum tuberosum L., breeding clones to the potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae) was investigated. Antixenosis was assessed in choice tests in which a single plant of each genotype was placed inside a rearing cage, where 60 female psyllid adults were released and the number of adults and eggs on each genotype was counted 24 h later. Antibiosis was evaluated in no-choice tests in which adults (five males and five females) were confined in a cage fixed to the upper side of leaves. After four hours of exposure, adults were removed and the number of eggs counted. The developmental time and survival of offspring were recorded until all insects became adults. All the resistant genotypes showed very strong antibiotic effect to B. cockerelli. Moreover, the genotype ‘P2-4’ also showed antixenosis. These results show promise for incorporation into an IPM program against B. cockerelli.