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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #82868
Title: GREENBUG BIOTYPES: THEY JUST KEEP COMING

Author
item Porter, David
item Burd, John
item Shufran, Kevin
item Webster, James
item TEETES, GEORGE - TEXAS A&M UNIV

Submitted to: Biennial Grain Sorghum Research and Utilization Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/3/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Summary article; no new research reported; no interpretive summary required.

Technical Abstract: Future advances in sorghum resistance to greenbug will likely come from introduction of resistance transgenes into high-performance hybrids. First-generation resistance transgenes will be single genes that impart antibiosis traits (similar to Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxins in transgenic corn). This approach to pest management is incompatible with interpretations of simulation models that predict that deployment of antibiosis resistance controlled by single genes drives the development of new, virulent pest biotypes. In this paper, the specific insect-plant interactions of greenbugs on sorghum were examined to understand the relationship between the deployment of plant resistance and the development of new greenbug biotypes. From this analysis, with only three of the 11 biotypes could there be any correlation between the use of resistant hybrids and the development of new biotypes. Even with these three biotypes, no clear cause-and-effect relationship was established. Based on analysis of these specific insect-plant interactions, we propose that future plant resistance efforts focus on the use of the most effective resistance genes, despite past predictions of what effect these genes may have on aphid population genetics.