Date: 3/29/99

Time: 2:35

Type: Symposium

Number: 37

Corn rootworm host-plant resistance: Current status and a look toward the future

*B.E. Hibbard, USDA-ARS Plant Genetics Research Unit and Plant Science Unit, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
Contact e-mail: hibbard@showme.missouri.edu

The western corn rootworm is a major insect pest in continuous corn production, but no viable alternatives to insecticides are available for its control. Seed companies have announced commercialization goals for transgenic seed with resistance to corn rootworm larval feeding as early as 2001. Our research program includes development of new native resistance sources to corn rootworm larval feeding that can be incorporated into elite germplasm and used as an alternative to insecticides and transgenic resistance sources, or as a background for inserting transgenic resistance genes. Our host-plant resistance program and the identification of new native resistance sources will be discussed. In addition, resistance management will become an issue very soon for corn rootworms just as it is a present issue for Bt corn and European corn borer. Areas where our project are addressing this issue, including larval establishment and movement, will be addressed.

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