ARS | Publication request: Evaluation of Dry-fleshed Sweetpotato Genotypes for Resistance to Soil Insect Pest, 2005

Submitted to: Arthropod Management Tests
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: December 4, 2006
Publication Date: September 1, 2007
Citation: Jackson, D.M., Bohac, J. 2007. Evaluation of Dry-fleshed Sweetpotato Genotypes for Resistance to Soil Insect Pest, 2005. Arthropod Management Tests, Volume 32, Report No. M4, Online Journal at http://www.entsoc.org/pubs/index.html.

Technical Abstract: This report describes a field evaluation of advanced dry fleshed sweetpotato genotypes from the USDA ARS sweetpotato breeding program at the US Vegetable Laboratory (USVL), Charleston, SC. This field experiment included two insect susceptible, moist orange fleshed check cultivars (‘Beauregard’ and ‘SC1149 19’), one insect resistant check cultivar (‘Ruddy’), and 33 dry fleshed genotypes that were evaluated for insect resistance in field trials of three replications at the USVL. There were highly significant entry effects for percent uninjured roots and WDS index (Wireworm, Diabrotica, Systena), but not for percent sweetpotato weevil damaged (Cylas formicarius [F.]) roots, percent flea beetle damaged (Chaetocnema confinis Crotch) roots, or percent grub damaged (Plectris aliena Chapin and/or Phyllophaga spp.) roots. Eighteen sweetpotato genotypes had a significantly higher percentage of undamaged roots than ‘SC1149 19’, and six genotypes had a significantly higher percentage of undamaged roots than ‘Beauregard’. Five genotypes had a significantly lower WDS rating than ‘SC1149 19’. Probably because of very low insect pressure in 2005, data for grubs, SPFB, and SPW were not significant according to ANOVA.