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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mayaguez, Puerto Rico » Tropical Crops and Germplasm Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #277820
Title: Influence of leaf color in a dry bean mapping population on Empoasca sp. populations and host plant resistance.

Author
item BRISCO, E. - Michigan State University
item Porch, Timothy - Tim
item KELLY, J. - Michigan State University

Submitted to: Bean Improvement Cooperative Annual Report
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/20/2012
Publication Date: 3/20/2012
Citation: Brisco, E.I., Porch Clay, T.G., Kelly, J.D. 2012. Influence of leaf color in a dry bean mapping population on Empoasca sp. populations and host plant resistance. Bean Improvement Cooperative Annual Report. 55:83-84.

Interpretive Summary: Leaf color in plants is important for insect recognition of plant species, specifically when insects select host plants for feeding and oviposition. Temperate and tropical leafhoppers, Empoasca fabae and E. kraemeri, respectively, are two species of leafhoppers that feed on a number of different cultivated plants. However, common bean is among their preferred hosts. Leafhopper feeding can cause serious damage by reducing bean seed yield and quality. In this study an evaluation of Empoasca nymph incidence in a dry bean population was conducted. Nymph incidence was correlated with leaf color to determine insect preference. Thus, leaf color characteristics can potentially be incorporated into plant breeding programs to select for colors less attractive to leafhopper.

Technical Abstract: Visual cues may be the first line of host plant recognition and an important determining factor when selecting host plants for feeding and oviposition, especially for highly polyphagous insects, such as leafhoppers, which have a broad range of potential host plants. Temperate Empoasca fabae and tropical E. kraemeri are two species of leafhoppers that are highly polyphagous. Phaseolus vulgaris is among their preferred hosts. Empoasca sp. feeding can cause serious damage by reducing bean seed yield and quality. In this study an evaluation of Empoasca nymph incidence in a dry bean population was conducted. Nymph incidence was correlated with leaf color to determine insect preference.