Theme 2-3: Forage Production and Utilization--Poster Sessions
Description
Bermudagrass (Cynodon sp.) is an important perennial forage grass grown in many parts of the world. Bermudagrass Stem Maggot (BSM) (Atherigona reversura Villeneuve) is an insect pest that reduces forage yield and nutritive value if it is not controlled. The pest, native to SE Asia, was first documented in North America in 2009 and is now considered invasive. A collection of over 300 forage bermudagrass accessions was evaluated in the field for susceptibility to BSM in 2014 and 2015. Tolerant lines and susceptible checks were then evaluated for yield loss due to BSM in a replicated field study by comparing insecticide-sprayed plots to unsprayed plots in Tifton, GA starting in 2016 continuing through the summer of 2019. For mid to late summer harvests during 2017, BSM reduced yield of Alicia and Russell by over 40% and Tifton 85 by up to 35%. However, tolerant accessions exhibited less than 10% yield loss and had dry matter yields comparable to Tifton 85. Nutritive value will also be assessed. These accessions will be further evaluated and used in plant breeding.
Included in
Screening and Breeding for Bermudagrass Stem Maggot (BSM) Resistance Using U.S. Bermudagrass Germplasm
Bermudagrass (Cynodon sp.) is an important perennial forage grass grown in many parts of the world. Bermudagrass Stem Maggot (BSM) (Atherigona reversura Villeneuve) is an insect pest that reduces forage yield and nutritive value if it is not controlled. The pest, native to SE Asia, was first documented in North America in 2009 and is now considered invasive. A collection of over 300 forage bermudagrass accessions was evaluated in the field for susceptibility to BSM in 2014 and 2015. Tolerant lines and susceptible checks were then evaluated for yield loss due to BSM in a replicated field study by comparing insecticide-sprayed plots to unsprayed plots in Tifton, GA starting in 2016 continuing through the summer of 2019. For mid to late summer harvests during 2017, BSM reduced yield of Alicia and Russell by over 40% and Tifton 85 by up to 35%. However, tolerant accessions exhibited less than 10% yield loss and had dry matter yields comparable to Tifton 85. Nutritive value will also be assessed. These accessions will be further evaluated and used in plant breeding.
