Biological control and aphid resistance cultivars;
Deirdre Prischmann-Voldseth ( North Dakota State University), Janet Knodel ( North Dakota State University), Jason Harmon ( North Dakota State University) ($40350). The Project Manager's email is janet.knodel@ndsu.edu.
Key Words: Soybean Aphid - Genetic Resistance, Soybean Aphid - Biocontrol, Soybean Aphid - Management, Soybean Aphid (SA)
The goal of this project is to integrate the use of beneficial insects and aphid-resistance breeding to reduce the damage by soybean aphid on North Dakota soybean production. The researchers will examine the compatibility of soybean cultivars containing the Rag1 gene for resistance to the soybean aphid with a biological control agent, the parasitic wasp Binodoxys communis, using a combination of greenhouse and field studies. Using biocontrol agents and pest resistant soybean varieties are two strategies that can keep aphid pest levels below threshold where chemical control is necessary. While both approaches have been proven to successfully reduce aphid numbers, the compatibility of biocontrol and plant resistance has not been thoroughly studied.
The objectives of this project are to:
• Measure the indirect effects of soybean host plant resistance on parasitoid fitness traits;
• Evaluate the effect of soybean aphid densities on Rag1-containing cultivars and parasitoids;
• Develop an economic threshold (ET) and economic injury level (EIL) for Rag1-resistant soybean varieties; and
• Print a revised NDSU Extension bulletin on “Soybean aphid management in North Dakota”.
This project is funded by North Dakota Soybean Council
Website is funded by the soybean checkoff
