HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Sprague, G. F. Articles by Dahms, R. G. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Sprague, G. F. Articles by Dahms, R. G. Agricola Articles by Sprague, G. F. Articles by Dahms, R. G.

Development of Crop Resistance to Insects¹

ABSTRACT

The development of host resistance to insect pests offers promise of reducing yield losses as well as a material reduction in the use of insecticides. A review of progress and the current situation is presented for selected insect pests, Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor), European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis), boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis), corn earworm and cotton bollworm (Heliothis zea), pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum), spotted alfalfa aphid (Therioaphis maculata), potato leaf hopper (Empoasea fabae), and the alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica). With the exception of the Hessian fly the only feasible control for this group of insects, prior to the development of resistant types, has been through use of chemicals. Marked progress has been achieved in developing commercially useful host-resistance to this group of insects with the exception of the cotton bollworm and boll weevil. Even here types differing in various components of resistance have been identified but the combination of these characteristics into an acceptable commercial variety remains to be accomplished. Increased emphasis is being placed on host-plant resistance. Success in such efforts requires the close cooperation of entomologists, geneticists, and breeders.

¹ Cooperative investigations of the Plant Science and Entomology Research Divisions, ARS, USDA, Beltsville, Md. 20705. Paper presented Dec. 28–29, 1970, in Chicago, Ill., at the American Association for the Advancement of Science Section "O" Agriculture Symposium on "Agriculture and the Quality of the Environment in the Seventies."

² Research Agronomist, Plant Science Research Div., and Chief, Grain & Forage Insects Research Branch, Entomology Research Div., ARS, USDA.