Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Sunflower and Plant Biology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #57982
Title: MECHANISMS OF SUNFLOWER RESISTANCE TO THE RED SUNFLOWER SEED WEEVIL

Author
item BREWER, GARY - NDSU
item GAO, H - NDSU
item Charlet, Laurence

Submitted to: Proceedings Sunflower Research Workshop
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The red sunflower seed weevil, Smicronyx fulvus, is a major pest of sunflower grown in the northern Great Plains. Economic damage is caused by feeding of larvae which develop inside growing seeds. Larval feeding results in seed of reduced weight and oil percentage. Currently, control relies primarily on application of insecticides. The objective of this research was to identify and characterize mechanisms of plant resistance to the red sunflower seed weevil that can be used as part of a biologically-based, sustainable pest management system. Four sunflower lines that showed reduced larval infestation were evaluated in multi-year trials. Resistance was consistent over a three year period and reduced the numbers of larvae per head to about 25% of that in the most susceptible lines. The resistant lines had both reduced number of eggs and larvae compared to susceptible lines.

Technical Abstract: The red sunflower seed weevil, Smicronyx fulvus, is a major pest of sunflower grown in the northern Great Plains. Economic damage is caused by feeding of larvae which develop inside growing seeds. Larval feeding results in seed of reduced weight and oil percentage. Currently, control relies primarily on application of insecticides. The objective of this research was to identify and characterize mechanisms of plant resistance to the red sunflower seed weevil that can be used as part of a biologically-based, sustainable pest management system. Four sunflower lines that showed reduced larval infestation were evaluated in multi-year trials. Resistance was consistent over a three year period and reduced the numbers of larvae per head to about 25% of that in the most susceptible lines. The resistant lines had both reduced number of eggs and larvae compared to susceptible lines.