ARS | Publication request: CORN ROOTWORM HOST-PLANT RESISTANCE: CURRENT STATUS AND A LOOK TOWARD THE FUTURE

Submitted to: Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting North Central Branch
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: January 25, 1999
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: The western corn rootworm is a major insect pest in continuous corn production, but no viable alternatives to insecticides are available for its control. Seed companies have announced commercialization goals for transgenic seed with resistance to corn rootworm larval feeding as early as 2001. Our research program includes development of new native resistance sources to corn rootworm larval feeding that can be incorporated into elit germplasm and used as an alternative to insecticides and transgenic resistance sources, or as a background for inserting transgenic resistance genes. Our host-plant resistance program and the identification of new native resistance sources will be discussed. In addition, resistance management will become an issue very soon for corn rootworms just as it is a present issue for Bt corn and European corn borer. Areas where our project are addressing this issue, including larval movement, will be addressed.