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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Charleston, South Carolina » Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #130318
Title: EVALUATION OF ADVANCED SWEETPOTATO ENTRIES FOR RESISTANCE TO SOIL INSECT PESTS, 1998

Author
item Jackson, D
item Bohac, Janice
item MUELLER, JOHN - CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Arthropod Management Tests
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/4/2002
Publication Date: 9/4/2002
Citation: JACKSON, D.M., BOHAC, J., MUELLER, J.D. EVALUATION OF ADVANCED SWEETPOTATO ENTRIES FOR RESISTANCE TO SOIL INSECT PESTS, 1998. ARTHROPOD MANAGEMENT TESTS. 2002. v.27. Report No. M-11.

Interpretive Summary: Most commercial sweetpotato varieties have little resistance to soil insect pests, which can severely limit marketable yields. Thus, there is a need to develop new varieties that have increased levels of insect resistance. This report describes two field evaluations of advanced sweetpotato clones from the from the USDA-ARS/Clemson program at Charleston, SC, 1998. Thirty-eight entries, including two insect-susceptible check cultivars, were evaluated for insect resistance in replicated field trials at Charleston, SC. Some of the advanced lines were more resistant to soil insect pests than were the susceptible check varieties. The most promising of these advanced clones will be developed as breeding lines or new sweetpotato varieties.

Technical Abstract: Commercial sweetpotato varieties have little resistance to soil insect pests, which can severely limit yields. Thus, there is a need new varieties that have insect resistance. This report describes two field evaluations of advanced sweetpotato entries from the USDA-ARS/Clemson program at the U. S. Vegetable Laboratory (USVL), Charleston, SC, 1998. For the first field experiment, two insect-susceptible cultivars, an intermediate check, an insect-resistant check, and eight advanced sweetpotato clones were evaluated for insect resistance in replicated field trials at the USVL. There were highly significant entry effects for WDS index (Wireworm, Diabrotica, Systena), percent flea beetle-damaged (Chaetocnema confinis Crotch) roots, percent grub-damaged (Plectris aliena Chapin and/or Phyllophaga spp.) roots, and overall percentage of undamaged roots. All entries exhibited greater resistance to WDS, flea beetles, and grubs than SC1149-19, and all of the entries except W-355 were significantly more resistant to WDS than was 'Beauregard'. The second experiment had the same check clones plus 26 advanced sweetpotato entries. For this experiment there were highly significant entry effects for WDS index, percent uninjured roots, percent flea beetle damage, and percent grub damage. All advanced entries had a significantly higher percentage of uninjured roots than did SC1149-19, and all except three were better than 'Beauregard'. All of the advanced lines were significantly more resistant to WDS than were the standard cultivars 'Beauregard' and SC1149-19. Twelve of the advanced lines were also significantly more resistant to WDS than 'Jewel'. All of the advanced entries were significantly more resistant to grubs than was SC1149-19.