Author
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Ratcliffe, Roger |
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Hatchett, Jimmy |
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Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 5/2/1997 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: The main purpose of this review is to bring together current information on the use of plant resistance to control Hessian fly injury in wheat, progress in breeding resistant wheats, and how the genetic interactions of the Hessian fly and wheat affects the durability of resistance. Hessian fly biology and life history, the nature of damage to wheat, and control methods are briefly described. During the last 50 years, resistant wheat varieties have provided the most reliable and economical control of the Hessian fly. Numerous sources of resistance have been identified from common and durum wheat, wild wheat relatives, and rye. These sources have been utilized in university and commercial wheat breeding programs to incorporate resistance into both spring and winter wheat varieties. To date, 27 resistance genes have been identified that will control one or more races (biotypes) of the Hessian fly. The changes that have occurred in the genetic composition of biotypes of the Hessian fly in response to exposure to resistant wheat varieties is discussed, as well as strategies that are being developed to improve the durability of resistance in future varieties. Technical Abstract: The Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say) was first found in the United States on Long Island, New York in 1779. The insect now occurs in all major wheat-growing areas from the Atlantic Coast to the Great Plains. Control methods for the fly are mostly preventive. The most important are planting resistant wheat varieties, delayed seeding of winter wheat to escape fall infestation, and destroying volunteer wheat. During the last 50 years, resistant varieties have provided the most reliable and economical control. Numerous sources of resistance to Hessian fly in wheat have been identified and utilized in breeding programs. Resistance in these sources is dominant, partially dominant, or recessive, and conditioned by single, duplicate, or multiple genetic factors derived from common and durum wheat, the wild wheat, Triticum tauschii (Coss) Schmal., and rye. Twenty-seven genes have been described. The existence of Hessian fly biotypes capable of infesting resistant wheats has been known for many years. Presently 16 biotypes have been named. Long-term stability is a major concern in breeding wheat resistant to Hessian fly. Deployment of resistant wheat varieties must be carefully managed to most effectively use genetic resources and maintain durability of resistance in the field. |
