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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Charleston, South Carolina » Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #130388
Title: EVALUATION OF ADVANCED SWEETPOTATO ENTRIES FOR RESISTANCE TO SOIL INSECT PESTS, 2000

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, 2000. ARTHROPOD MANAGEMENT TESTS. 2002. v.27. Report No. M-13.

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 clones from the USDA-ARS/Clemson program at Charleston, SC, 2000. Thirty-three entries, including four 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: 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 USDA-ARS/Clemson program at the U. S. Vegetable Laboratory (USVL), ,Charleston, SC, 2000. Four insect-susceptible check cultivars ('Beauregard', 'Carolina Bunch', 'Hernandez', and SC1149-19), an intermediate check ('Jewel'), two insect-resistant checks ('Regal' and 'Sumor'), and 26 advanced entries 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 had significantly lower infestations of WDS, flea beetles, and white grubs, and a higher percentage of uninjured roots than SC1149-19. All entries, except SC1149-19, had a lower WDS rating than 'Beauregard'. Twenty-six entries had a significantly lower percentage of flea beetles, and 19 entries had a significantly lower percentage of grubs than 'Beauregard'. Twenty-six entries were as resistant as 'Regal' and 'Sumor', the resistant checks, for WDS, flea beetles, and grubs.