Resistance of Small Grains to The Cereal Leaf Beetle123

Abstract

Studies of resistance in small grains to the cereal leaf beetle Oulema melanopus (L.), were conducted near Galien, Michigan, during 1963. Field-planted wheat, oat, and barley varieties (687) were examined for damage from adult and larval feeding, and the eggs and larvae were counted. Results indicated that wheats were preferred less than oats and barleys for oviposition and had less damage from adult and larval feeding. Wheats with highly pubescent leaves were largely avoided for oviposition; thus leaf pubescence may be a factor of resistance. A 14-chromosome wheat, Triticum persicum fuliginosum Vavilov, with highly pubescent leaves, had great resistance to the cereal leaf beetle.