Evaluation of sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis, resistance among commercial and experimental cultivars in the Louisiana sugarcane cultivar development program

Authors: WILSON, BLAKE - LSU Agcenter; WHITE, WILLIAM - Retired ARS Employee; Richard, Randy; Johnson, Richard

Submitted to: International Sugar Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/28/2020
Publication Date: 4/3/2021
Citation: Wilson, B.E., White, W.H., Richard, R.T., Johnson, R.M. 2021. Evaluation of sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis, resistance among commercial and experimental cultivars in the Louisiana sugarcane cultivar development program. International Sugar Journal. 123(1468):256-261.

Interpretive Summary: Stem boring insects like the sugarcane borer are the primary economic pests of sugarcane in Louisiana, U.S.A. Borer resistant cultivars are an important part of pest management programs. It is critical that new sugarcane cultivars are evaluated for their resistance to stem borers if we are to optimize management programs and improve the development of new cultivars. Field studies were conducted from 2013–2016 to evaluate levels of resistance to sugarcane borers among commercial and experimental sugarcane cultivars. A range of resistance was observed among cultivars with 4- to 26-fold reductions in borer injury by resistant cultivars compared to susceptible cultivars. The variable level of resistance observed supports the theory that borer resistance is a genetic trait that may be selected for in sugarcane breeding programs. Borer resistant commercial varieties including L 01-299 and HoCP 04-838 were among the least injured in our trials. Performance of some cultivars, i.e. HoCP 09-804, were inconsistent across trials, suggesting a genotype x environment effect thus complicating selection for resistance. Determining the response to sugarcane borers among experimental cultivars should continue to be a selection priority in sugarcane breeding programs if we are to successfully manage this important sugarcane pest.

Technical Abstract: Stem boring Lepidoptera including the sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis) are the primary economic pests of sugarcane in Louisiana, U.S.A. Borer resistant cultivars are a key component of pest management programs. Continued assessment of borer resistance among new sugarcane cultivars is needed to optimize management programs and improve development of new cultivars. Field studies were conducted from 2013–2016 to evaluate levels of resistance to D. saccharalis among commercial and experimental sugarcane cultivars. A range of resistance was observed among cultivars with 4- to 26-fold reductions in D. saccharalis injury by resistant relative to susceptible cultivars across trials. The variable level of resistance observed supports the notion of a genetic basis for borer resistance in sugarcane germplasm and therefore a viable selection trait. Borer resistant commercial varieties including L 01-299 and HoCP 04-838 were among the least injured in our trials. Performance of some cultivars, i.e. HoCP 09-804, were inconsistent across trials, suggesting a genotype x environment effect thus complicating selection for resistance. Determining the response to D. saccharalis among experimental cultivars should continue to be a selection priority in sugarcane breeding programs.