1. Breeding Alfalfa Varieties with Resistance to Alfalfa Snout Beetle
Jamie Crawford, Julie Hansen, and Don Viands, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics; Elson Shields and Antonio Testa, Department of Entomology; Doug Shelmidine, Sheland Farms Adams NY.
Alfalfa snout beetle (ASB), is the most destructive insect pest of alfalfa in Northern New York (NNY), and is continuing to spread. This pest causes severe yield and stand losses on alfalfa by larval feeding on alfalfa roots. New infestations are often mistaken for winter injury since the majority of plants die after the last harvest and before spring growth.
Left: Undamaged alfalfa root Right: Alfalfa roots showing ASB damage
A breeding program to develop ASB resistant alfalfa was initiated by Cornell University Forage Breeders. Since field screenings were not reliable, a greenhouse screening method was developed by Cornell Entomologists, E. J. Shields and A. Testa. To date, breeders have completed six to seven cycles of selection, screening more than 150,000 seedlings over seven years.
Alfalfa snout beetle infestation in New York
9% Gain in Resistance
Two of the three populations evaluated showed improvements in root ratings. Cycle 4 or 5 had 0.25 or 9% less root damage than Cycle 0.
A field trial to test the breeding progress was seeded on April 21, 2008 at Sheland Farms in Adams NY (Jefferson County).
Insect Fact: Did you know that alfalfa snout beetle
larvae live underground for two years before emerging
as adults!