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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Wapato, Washington » Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #380407
Research Project: Developing New Potatoes with Improved Quality, Disease Resistance, and Nutritional Content

Location: Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research

Title: Identifying resistance to the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) in potato germplasm: review update

Author
item RONDON, SILVIA - Oregon State University
item Feldman, Max
item THOMPSON, ASUNTA - North Dakota State University
item THOMPSON, IRA - Oregon State University
item OPPEDISANO, TIZIANA - Oregon State University
item SHRESTHA, GOVINDA - Oregon State University

Submitted to: Frontiers in Agronomy
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/2021
Publication Date: 4/15/2021
Citation: Rondon, S., Feldman, M.J., Thompson, A., Thompson, I., Oppedisano, T., Shrestha, G. 2021. Identifying resistance to the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) in potato germplasm: review update. Frontiers in Agronomy. 3. Article 642189. https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2021.642189.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2021.642189

Interpretive Summary: Colorado potato beetle is one of the most voracious and damaging insect pests of potato. Control of beetle populations is primarily achieved through application of chemical insecticides despite the fact these methods are expensive, damaging to the environment, and beetle populations exhibit an extreme propensity to evolve insecticide resistance. Alternatively, integrated pest management plans provide a more sustainable solution to this agricultural challenge and the development of insect resistant germplasm is a key component of any management practice. Scientists at the USDA-ARS laboratory in Wapato, WA in collaboration with researchers at Oregon State University in Hermiston, OR and North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND have compiled information regarding the biology of the beetle and the efforts towards evaluation and selection of resistant material. This update also highlights findings from a recent field experiment performed at the Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Hermiston OR, where several high acreage potato varieties were evaluated using proximal and remote sensing techniques. Evidence suggests that multispectral sensors fixed to small unmanned aerial systems may provide a scalable way to monitor insect mediated defoliation, particularly in cases where ground truth data can be generated

Technical Abstract: Developing plant germplasm that contains genetic resistance to insect pests is a valuable component of integrated pest management programs. In the last several decades, numerous attempts have been made to identify genetic sources of resistance to Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). This review focuses on compiling information regarding general L. decemlineata biology related to past efforts to identify genetic material and highlights promising new strategies that may improve the efficiency of evaluation and selection of resistant material. It also highlights findings from a recent field experiment conducted at the Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Hermiston OR, where potato varieties and/or accessions were evaluated. Number of eggs masses, larvae, adults, and percentage defoliation were parameters used to determine preference. Data suggest that the identification of novel host plant resistance material may provide an additional tool to best manage L. decemlineata populations