Identifying Resistance to the Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) in Potato Germplasm: Review Update

Silvia I. Rondon,Max Feldman,Govinda Shrestha,Tiziana Oppedisano,A. Thompson

doi:10.3389/fagro.2021.642189

Abstract

Developing plant germplasm that contains genetic resistance to insect pests is a valuable component of integrated pest management programs. In the last several decades, numerous attempts have been made to identify genetic sources of resistance to Colorado potato beetleLeptinotarsa decemlineataSay (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). This review focuses on compiling information regarding generalL. decemlineatabiology, ecology, and management focusing on discussing biochemical and morphological potato (Solanum tuberosumL.) plant traits that might be responsible for providing resistance; the review ends discussing past efforts to identify genetic material and highlights promising new strategies that may improve the efficiency of evaluation and selection of resistant material. Measurement strategies, that begin with field screening of segregating populations or wild germplasm to narrow research focus can be useful. Identifying particularly resistant or susceptible germplasm, will help researchers focus on studying the mechanisms of resistance in much greater detail which will help the development of long-term sustainable management program.

Highlights

Hundreds of crop varieties are released every year to improve crop productivity, enhance nutritional value, and expand consumer choice (Everson and Gollin, 2002); crops are improved to repel, prevent, block, or eliminate pests (Mohammed et al, 2000; Rondon et al, 2009)
In Idaho, Oregon, and Washington which together produce close to 56% of United States fresh and frozen potatoes in the market, L. decemlineata populations have largely remained susceptible to insecticides (Haegele and Wakeland, 1932; Johnston and Sandvol, 1986; Olson et al, 2000; Alyokhin et al, 2015; Crossley et al, 2018; Dively et al, 2020)
Total foliar concentration of α-solanine and α-chaconine, the primary glycoalkaloids found in domesticated potato, are poor predictors of plant L. decemlineata resistance (Barbour and Kennedy, 1991; Flanders et al, 1992; Metspalu et al, 2000; Dinkins et al, 2008; Navarre et al, 2016) likely because they are not accumulated in high enough concentrations to inhibit insect feeding (Sinden et al, 1980; Friedman et al, 1997)

Summary

Introduction

Hundreds of crop varieties are released every year to improve crop productivity, enhance nutritional value, and expand consumer choice (Everson and Gollin, 2002); crops are improved to repel, prevent, block, or eliminate pests (Mohammed et al, 2000; Rondon et al, 2009). Systematic field screens aimed at identifying crop wild relatives that exhibit L. decemlineata resistance have been performed on large scales by several investigators since the early 1930s (Torka, 1950), with the efforts of Carter (1987), Flanders et al (1992), and Jansky et al (2009) all making major contributions to our knowledge on this topic at a species and accession level (Pelletier et al, 2011).

Results

Conclusion