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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Charleston, South Carolina » Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #130392
Title: EVALUATION OF REGIONAL SWEETPOTATO ENTRIES FOR RESISTANCE TO SOIL INSECT PESTS, 1997

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 REGIONAL SWEETPOTATO ENTRIES FOR RESISTANCE TO SOIL INSECT PESTS, 1997. ARTHROPOD MANAGEMENT TESTS. 2002. v.27. Report No. M-16.

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 the field evaluation of advanced sweetpotato entries from the 1997 National Sweetpotato Collaborator Trials. Thirteen entries, including three insect-susceptible check cultivars, were evaluated for insect resistance in replicated field trials at Charleston, SC. Some of the regional 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: 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 the field evaluation of advanced sweetpotato entries from the 1997 National Sweetpotato Collaborator Trials. Three insect-susceptible check cultivars ('Beauregard', 'Porto Rico', and SC1149-19), an intermediate check ('Jewel'), an insect-resistant check ('Regal'), and eight regional entries were evaluated for insect resistance in a replicated field trial at Charleston, SC. There were highly significant entry effects for WDS index (Wireworm, Diabrotica, Systena), percent flea beetle-damaged (Chaetocnema confinis Crotch) roots, and overall percentage of undamaged roots, but not for percent grub-damaged (Plectris aliena Chapin and/or Phyllophaga spp.) roots. Overall, 'Regal', 'Porto Rico', W-287, W-310, and W-317 had significantly more uninjured roots than did SC1149-19. Six of the regional entries had significantly lower WDS ratings than either SC1149-19 or 'Beauregard'. All regional entries exhibited greater resistance to flea beetles than SC1149-19.