Registration of RTx3410 through RTx3428 sorghum germplasm resistant to sugarcane aphid [Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner)]

Authors: PETERSON, GARY - Texas A&M Agricultural Experiment Station; Armstrong, John - Scott; PENDELTON, BONNIE - West Texas A & M University; STELTER, MARK - Texas A&M Agricultural Experiment Station; BREWER, MIKE - Texas A&M Agrilife

Submitted to: Journal of Plant Registrations
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/16/2018
Publication Date: 7/26/2018
Citation: Peterson, G.C., Armstrong, J.S., Pendelton, B.B., Stelter, M., Brewer, M.J. 2018. Registration of RTx3410 through RTx3428 sorghum germplasm resistant to sugarcane aphid [Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner)]. Journal of Plant Registrations. 12(3):391-398. https://doi.org/10.3198/jpr2018.02.0007crg.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3198/jpr2018.02.0007crg

Interpretive Summary: Through collaborative research between the USDA and Texas A&M AgriLife, 19 sugarcane aphid resistant sorghum lines designated as RTx3410 through RTx3428 were released to the public. Resistance in RTx3412 through RTx3426 is derived from Tx2783 or an early generation sib. Resistance in RTx3410, RTx3411, RTx3427, and RTx3248 is from unknown sources. The genetic relationship of resistance gene(s) from different sources is not known. Texas A&M AgriLife Research has now released 21 lines resistant to sugarcane aphid in cooperation with the USDA-ARS Laboratory in Stillwater, OK. The lines provide the sorghum industry elite germplasm with potentially diverse putative resistance sources to the sugarcane aphid.

Technical Abstract: The sugarcane aphid [Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)] became virulent on sorghum in the United States in 2013. By 2015 the aphid was identified in 400 counties in 17 states accounting for 97% of hectares and 98% of production in the U.S. In 2014 and 2015, the estimated economic loss was about $19.5 million yearly. Identification of putative resistance sources along with deployment of resistant/tolerant hybrids will help reduce economic loss and the need for insecticides for aphid control. Putative sources of resistance have been identified in: converted lines, greenbug resistant lines, and introduced cultivars. Resistance to sugarcane aphid and greenbug is controlled by different genes. Sugarcane aphid resistance in Tx2783 was identified in Southern Africa in the late 1980’s and confirmed in Texas in 2014. The aphid endemic in South Africa and Texas is genetically identical. Initial evaluation of approximately 275 advanced breeding lines, converted exotic lines, or exotic introductions identified or confirmed putative resistance to sugarcane aphid in greenbug resistant lines, advanced R- or B-lines, exotic introductions and converted exotic lines. Subsequently approximately 3,000 breeding lines have been evaluated in seedling stage glasshouse trials for resistance. In 2018, Texas A&M AgriLife Research released 19 lines, RTx3410 through RTx3428, resistant to sugarcane aphid. Resistance in RTx3412 to RTx3426 is derived from Tx2783 or an early generation sib. Resistance in RTx3410, RTx3411, RTx3427, and RTx3248 is from unknown sources. The genetic relationship of resistance gene(s) from different sources is not known. Texas A&M AgriLife Research has now released 21 lines resistant to sugarcane aphid. The lines provide the sorghum industry elite germplasm with potentially diverse putative resistance sources to the sugarcane aphid.