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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #76034
Title: PEANUT RESISTANCE TO SOUTHERN CORN ROOTWORM

Author
item PETKA JR, W - VA POLYTECH INST & SU
item HERBERT JR, D - VA POLYTECH INST & SU
item COFFELT, TERRY

Submitted to: Peanut Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/29/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Southern corn rootworm is the primary soil insect pest of peanuts in the Virginia-North Carolina production area, costing over 3 million dollars for preventive pesticide applications. The best alternative to chemical control is the development of resistant germplasm and cultivars. Satisfactory screening methods have not been developed, and newer cultivars grown on the majority of the peanut acreage have not been evaluated for resistance to southern corn rootworm. Results from this experiment, utilizing both laboratory and field evaluation techniques to determine resistance to southern corn rootworm, show that NC6 is still the only released cultivar with resistance to southern corn rootworm. The laboratory bioassay developed in this study could be used as a preliminary screening tool to evaluate large numbers of breeding lines for possible resistance. However, a combination of laboratory and field studies is needed to determine final levels of resistance before release of new cultivars and germplasm. Results from these studies will be useful to peanut breeders and entomologists screening for southern corn rootworm resistance. Information on relative susceptibility of new cultivars will be useful to growers and extension agents in deciding which cultivar to plant.

Technical Abstract: The southern corn rootworm (SCR) is the primary soil insect pest to peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Virginia and North Carolina. Newer cultivars, which are planted on the majority of acreage, have not been extensively screened for SCR resistance. The objective of this study was to evaluate five new Virginia-type cultivars (NC-V 11, VA-C 92R, VA 93B, NC 10C, and AgraTech VC-1) and 19 breeding lines (N90013E, VA 861101, VA 9211920, VA 9211289, VA 891438, VA 901072, VA 9010343, VA 8911115, VA 9109213, VA 9109235, VA 9109237, VA 9111309, N93007L, N92066L, N92074L, PI 121077, GP-NC 343, N92064L, and N93003L) for resistance to SCR in a series of laboratory bioassays and field studies. Bioassays used seedlings, field-grown pegs, and immature and mature pods. Neonates from a laboratory colony were reared to the adult stage on plant tissues and evaluated for mortality. Pod damage was determined from field studies where plants were exposed to natural SCR infestations. With seedling feeding, NC 6 caused significantly more mortality compared with NC 7, NC9, NC 10C, NC-V11, N90013E, PI 121067, AgraTech VC-1, VA 93B, VA 861101, and VA 9211290. With feeding on field grown peg and immature pod tissue, NC 6 also caused significantly more mortality compared with NC 7, AgraTech VC-1, VA 861101, and VA 93B. In field studies, NC 6 also incurred significantly less total pod damage than NC 7 in natural SCR infestations. Results from these studies indicate that NC 6 is still the only cultivar currently planted or under development that demonstrates significant resistance to SCR.