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Title: Screening USDA-ARS wheat germplasm for bird cherry-oat aphid tolerance

Author
item DUNN, BRUCE - Oklahoma State University
item PORTER, DAVID - Oklahoma State University
item Baker, Cheryl
item CARVER, BRETT - Oklahoma State University

Submitted to: Journal of Crop Improvement
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2010
Publication Date: 3/31/2011
Citation: Dunn, B.L., Porter, D.R., Baker, C.A., Carver, B.F. 2011. Screening USDA-ARS wheat germplasm for bird cherry-oat aphid tolerance. Journal of Crop Improvement. 25(2):176-182.

Interpretive Summary: The bird cherry-oat aphid is an insect that can be a significant problem on wheat and can cause a great deal of yield loss without a lot of obvious symptom development. This paper describes a new technique that was developed to allow researchers to compare aphid infested plants with their non-infested counterparts. This technique allows for a quick and visual analysis of damage, and can be used successfully in a breeding program designed to evaluate very large numbers of plants for tolerance to the aphid.

Technical Abstract: The bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.) can cause significant yield reduction in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) without causing aboveground visual damage signs or symptoms. This lack of obvious aboveground symptom development makes it difficult to use standard aphid tolerance testing protocols, which are very effective in testing wheat for tolerance to other aphids. This study utilized an alternative screening method, using clear germination pouches, to assess the effects on both root and shoot development following aphid feeding as a way to deduce aphid feeding tolerance. Over 4000 wheat accessions from the USDA-ARS National Small Grains Collection were evaluated. Quality ratings were determined by comparing wheat accession infested with bird cherry-oat aphids against the control (noninfested treatment). Following the infestation treatment, seventeen accessions showed no dramatic decreases in root and shoot growth indicating that resistance genes may be available in these lines. Accessions identified are of considerable interest to those wheat breeding programs where bird cherry-oat aphid resistance is an objective.