Sweetpotato weevil (Cylas spp.) resistance in African sweetpotato germplasm
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Date
2012
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Pest Management
Abstract
Host-plant resistance could be a useful tool for managing the weevils Cylas puncticollis and C. brunneus, which are
major insect pests of sweetpotato in Africa. There is currently little information on existing resistance mechanisms
against Cylas spp. in African cultivars, except where lower levels of weevil damage were attributed to escape due to
deep rooting and reduced soil cracking, limiting the exposure of roots to weevils. Here, we evaluate weevil resistance
in 134 sweetpotato cultivars and landraces over two seasons in two agroecologically diverse locations. Several
sweetpotato cultivars, including New Kawogo, expressed resistance to Cylas spp. The resistance characteristics have
been demonstrated in previous laboratory experiments to be quantifiable and thus potentially useful in targeted
plant-breeding against Cylas spp. We showed external root and stem base damage to be an accurate quantitative
indicator of internal root damage, offering rapid and accurate evaluation of resistance in field trials for screening.
Moreover, weevil resistance can be assessed earlier in plant development, so saving time in the selection of the
progeny from breeding programmes.
Description
Keywords
Cylas brunneus, Cylas puncticollis, Host-plant resistance, Sweetpotato breeding, Root damage
Citation
Muyinza, H., Talwana, H. L., Mwanga, R. O., & Stevenson, P. C. (2012). Sweetpotato weevil (Cylas spp.) resistance in African sweetpotato germplasm. International Journal of Pest Management, 58(1), 73-81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09670874.2012.655701