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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » Vegetable Crops Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #335642
Title: Biochemical analysis of leaf waxes and thrips resistance in onion selections

Author
item MUNAIZ, EDUARDO - University Of Wisconsin
item Havey, Michael

Submitted to: National Allium Research Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/10/2016
Publication Date: 11/30/2016
Citation: Munaiz, E.D., Havey, M.J. 2016. Biochemical analysis of leaf waxes and thrips resistance in onion selections [abstract]. National Allium Research Conference. Paper No. 10.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Thrips (Thrips tabaci) is a serious insect pest of onion and is a vector for Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV). Lower amounts of epicuticular waxes on onion leaves have been associated with fewer thrips, less feeding damage, and lower incidence of IYSV. In this study, 10 onion selections that showed less thrips damage and lower IYSV incidence in field evaluations in Colorado and controls were evaluated for amounts and types of epicuticular waxes and visually scored for thrips damage in field plots in Wisconsin. Hentriocontanone-16 (H16) and octaconasol-1 were the prevalent waxes in waxy (WX) onions, and were lower in semi-glossy (SG) and glossy (GL) selections. The GL phenotypes showed the lowest amount of H16, and can possess larger amounts of other waxes. The GL and SG phenotypes showed less thrips damage compared to waxier types. Progenies from crosses among SG phenotypes appeared visually uniform, indicating that independent sources of SG phenotypes are likely conditioned by the same loci. This study supports the effectiveness of the biochemical analysis of epicuticular waxes in order to identify the unique wax profiles showing thrips resistance.