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Title: A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR SCREENING FOR BIRD CHERRY-OAT APHID RESISTANCE IN WHEAT AND BARLEY

Author
item Baker, Cheryl
item Mirkes, Keith
item Webster, James
item Porter, David

Submitted to: Hard Red Winter Wheat Workers Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The bird cherry-oat aphid has been shown to reduce the yield of wheat and barley, yet it causes no obvious visual symptoms. This lack of obvious symptom development makes it impossible to use the standard screening test, which is effective in screening for resistance to several other aphids. Therefore, a new technique was developed to identify resistance to the bird dcherry-oat aphid. This technique uses transparent seed growth pouches that allow a clear view of both shoot and root development. A rapid visual comparison of infested versus noninfested plants makes it possible to identify those genotypes that are less impacted by this aphid at the seedling stage. This will make it possible for wheat and barley breeders to select plants resistant to the bird cherry-oat aphid, leading to the development of new aphid-resistant cultivars.

Technical Abstract: The bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), has been shown to reduce the yield of wheat, Triticum aestivum (L.), and barley, Hordeum vulgare (L.), yet it causes no obvious visual symptoms. This lack of obvious symptom development makes it impossible to use the standard screening test, which is effective in screening for resistance to several other aphids. Therefore, a new technique was developed to identify resistance to the bird cherry-oat aphid. This technique uses transparent seed growth pouches that allow a clear view of both shoot and root development. A rapid visual comparison of infested versus noninfested plants makes it possible to identify those genotypes that are less impacted by the aphid at the seedling stage.