Hessian Fly Research Articles

Quantitative Trait Locus Analysis of Hessian Fly Resistance in Soft Red Winter Wheat.

The Hessian fly (HF) is an invasive insect that has caused millions of dollars in yield losses to southeastern US wheat farms. Genetic resistance is the most sustainable solution to control HF. However, emerging biotypes are quickly overcoming resistance genes in the southeast; therefore, identifying novel sources of resistance is critical. The resistant line "UGA 111729" and susceptible variety "AGS 2038" were crossbred to generate a population of 225 recombinant inbred lines. This population was phenotyped in the growth chamber (GC) during 2019 and 2021 and in field (F) trials in Georgia during the 2021-2022 growing seasons. Visual scoring was utilized in GC studies. The percentage of infested tillers and number of pupae/larvae per tiller, and infested tiller per sample were measured in studies from 2021 to 2022. Averaging across all traits, a major QTL on chromosome 3D explained 42.27% (GC) and 10.43% (F) phenotypic variance within 9.86 centimorgans (cM). SNP marker IWB65911 was associated with the quantitative trait locus (QTL) peak with logarithm of odds (LOD) values of 14.98 (F) and 62.22 (GC). IWB65911 colocalized with resistance gene H32. KASP marker validation verified that UGA 111729 and KS89WGRC06 express H32. IWB65911 may be used for marker-assisted selection.

Maximizing winter wheat yield through planting date and seeding rate management

AbstractPlanting date and seeding rate are two of the most basic and important factors in determining yield potential in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) due to their impact on stand establishment. Timely planting of winter wheat (within a few days after the Hessian fly free date) ensures sufficient time for fall growth and tillering, which are critical for maximizing yield, while adequate seeding rate is necessary to optimize the number of heads per unit area. Field experiments were conducted in Mason, MI during three growing seasons (2020–2022) utilizing five planting dates, ranging from mid‐September to mid‐November, and five seeding rates ranging from 0.8 to 2.4 million seeds acre−1. There was no interaction between planting date and seeding rate in determining yield. Yields declined by 22–48% from the earliest to the latest planting dates in response to a 33–47% reduction in the number of heads acre−1. Seeding rate did not significantly impact yield except at low seeding rates under delayed planting. Maximum yield was achieved with a seeding rate of 0.93, 1.37, 1.47, 1.54, and 1.85 million seeds acre−1 during the mid‐September, late September, mid‐October, late October, and mid‐November plantings, respectively. Overall, results demonstrated that timely planting of wheat is critical for maximizing yield, with significant yield reductions occurring when planting is delayed, regardless of the seeding rate used. Furthermore, while low seeding rates may be used within the optimal planting window without yield penalty, seeding rates should be progressively increased as planting is delayed to diminish yield loss.

Achievements, Challenges, and Future Perspective in Managing the Hessian Fly, Mayetiola destructor , in the USA

Abstract The Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is an insect pest that causes serious damage and yield loss to wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. (Family: Poaceae )) and barley ( Hordeum vulgare ) in the USA as well as other wheat-growing countries in the world. Hessian fly is thought to be originated in the Fertile Crescent region of the Middle East, from where it has spread to major wheat- and barley-producing countries including Europe, the USA, West Asia, and North Africa. In the USA, outbreaks of Hessian fly result in ~5% yield losses each year and with reduced grain quality from fly-damaged plants. Through continuous research and development, various controlling measures for integrated pest management against the Hessian fly pest have been developed. This case report summarizes the achievements in controlling this insect pest in the past century and new challenges arising due to changes in climate, cultural practices, and farming objectives. Information © The Authors 2023

Technology of protection of winter wheat from harmful biota in the Northern Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Winter wheat protection technology is aimed at preventing the mass spread of harmful biota and the possibility of its rapid restriction. Therewith, the main choice of pesticides and their timely use is precisely at the period when harmful organisms are in a sensitive stage to protective products, and plants are in the phase of forming and laying productivity elements. The purpose of the study is to examine the effectiveness of the proposed compositions of chemical preparations against harmful biota in improving the technology of winter wheat protection. When monitoring harmful organisms, generally accepted methods in phytopathology (Strakhov and Geschele scales), entomology (butterfly net, accounting site methods), and herbology (quantitative-weight) were used. The results of the study obtained during a production experiment to examine the effectiveness of product mixtures for a comprehensive system of protection of winter wheat crops are presented. Changes in the species and quantitative composition of winter wheat weed Synusia depending on the protection technology are established. The total number of weeds in the areas where the protection system was used decreased by 61.2 pcs./m2 compared to the control option. Changes in the number of pests are presented (a decrease in the Hessian fly by 26 specimens/100 w.s. (wheat stem), Swedish fly – 31 specimens/100 w.s., grass aphids – 20 specimens per stem, Haplothrips tritici – 34 specimens/100 w.s., bread carabus – 6 beetles/m2 ) when spraying winter wheat in the phases of exit into the tube and milk ripeness with insecticides Aktara 25 WG, 0.10 kg/ha + Karate seon 050 CS, 0.2 L/ha. The technical effectiveness of insecticides against pests was 73.8-89.5%, depending on the insect. It is proved that reliable protection against dominant diseases in the farm is achieved by using a combination of fungicides Alto Super 330 EC, 0.5 L/ha and Topsin M, WP, 1.0 kg/ha in the phase of entering the tube and Amistar extra 280 SC, 0.5 L/ha + Rex Duo, SC, 0.4 L/ha in the earing phase–beginning of flowering. The technical effectiveness of double spraying with recommended anti-disease products ranged from 77.1% to 86.8%. The proposed technology for protecting winter wheat from harmful organisms is effective, has passed production testing, and can be implemented in farms of all forms of ownership

Yield protection afforded by imidacloprid during Hessian fly infestation in six genotypes

AbstractThe Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor Say) is a gall midge that infests and feeds upon wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Recently, a new form of tolerance (QHft.nc‐7D) was identified in the breeding line LA03136E71 (PI 700336). Partial resistance allows immature Hessian fly to thrive in small numbers and does not function like antibiosis. Little is known about the potential yield drag of using partial resistance. In this study, we evaluated six genotypes: one containing QHft.nc‐7D (LA03136E71), one containing H13, and four potentially susceptible genotypes. All genotypes were evaluated with two different seed treatment regiments of imidacloprid: no treatment and a two times rate of imidacloprid. All tested genotypes were planted in six‐to‐eight replications of a full factorial design in four environments. Subsamples of yield trial plots were taken to measure percent infested tillers and a number of larvae/pupae per tiller. Plots were harvested and grain yield was recorded. There was a significant (p[>F] < 0.05) reduction of percent infested tillers and a number of larvae/pupae per tiller related to the imidacloprid treatment. Imidacloprid treatment significantly (p[>T] < 0.05) reduced the number of larvae/pupae per tiller for LA03136E71. There was no significant (p[>T] > 0.05) grain yield increase associated with treatment for LA03136E71. This indicates that a two times application of imidacloprid on LA03136E71 (QHft.nc‐7D) did not improve yield yet reduced infestation. Therefore, QHft.nc‐7D, while allowing Hessian fly to thrive on the plant, does not significantly compromise yield.

New sources of Hessian fly resistance in Triticum turgidum wheat lines from Asia and Europe

New sources of Hessian fly resistance in Triticum turgidum wheat lines from Asia and Europe

Identification of new sources of Hessian fly resistance in tetraploid wheat

AbstractHessian fly (HF) (Mayetiola destructor Say) is an obligate destructive pest of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) causing severe economic losses worldwide. Deployment of resistant wheat cultivars harboring HF resistance (H) genes is still the most effective and economical method to manage this insect pest. However, extensive use of H genes can impose selection pressure on HF populations, leading to the development of virulent biotypes that can breakdown plant resistance. Further, increase in environmental temperatures to 25–30°C during the wheat‐growing season can also negatively impact HF resistance, thereby necessitating the identification of new and novel sources of HF resistance and evaluate them for temperature sensitivity. In the current study, we evaluated the phenotypic response of 254 Triticum turgidum (L.) wheat accessions of African origin to Biotype L HF infestation. Of these, 10 accessions exhibited >70% resistance to Biotype L HF infestation. These 10 resistant accessions also showed >70% resistance when screened with vH13 HF biotype. Additionally, these HF resistant lines were evaluated for expression of resistance at a higher temperature of 30°C, and three tetraploid wheat accessions that maintained 100% resistance to Biotype L HF at the increased temperature were identified. These newly identified HF resistant lines offer valuable tools to breeders and farmers that can be used in breeding programs to develop cultivars for durable resistance to HF and efficient crop management.

Molecular characterization of eliminated chromosomes in Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor (Say))

Like other cecidomyiid Diptera, Hessian fly has stable S chromosomes and dispensable E chromosomes that are retained only in the germ line. Amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP), suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH), fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH), and sequencing were used to investigate similarities and differences between S and E chromosomes. More than 99.9% of AFLP bands were identical between separated ovary and somatic tissue, but one band was unique to ovary and resembled Worf, a non-LTR retrotransposon. Arrayed clones, derived by SSH of somatic from ovarian DNA, showed no clones that were unique to ovary. FISH with BAC clones revealed a diagnostic banding pattern of BAC positions on both autosomes and both sex chromosomes, and each E chromosome shared a pattern with one of the S chromosomes. Sequencing analysis showed that E chromosomes are nearly identical to S chromosomes, since no sequence could be confirmed to belong only to E chromosomes. There were a few questionably E-specific sequences that are candidates for further investigation. Thus, the E chromosomes appear to be derived from S chromosomes by the acquisition or conversion of sequences that produce the negatively heteropycnotic region around the centromere.

The influence of fertilizers on the damage of spring barley plants by intrastalk pests and grain yield

Goal. To study the population and harmfulness of intrastalk pests in the agrocenosis of spring barley depending on the use of fertilizers.
 Methods. The investigations was carried out in a stationary field, fixed nine-course-fallow-grain-row crop rotation at the Department for Plant Production and Cultivar Investigations of the Plant Production Institute named after V.Ya. Yuriev of the National Academy of Sciences (Eastern Forest-Steppe of Ukraine) during 2011—20.
 Results. During the years of research, the species composition of intrastalk pests was represented by: Oscinella pusilla Mg., O. frit L., Chaetocnema hortensis Geoffr., and Mayetiola destructor Say. Oscinella pusilla Mg. and O. frit L. dominated, damage to shoots by their larvae varied from 1.9% (2016) to 61.1% (2013). Damage to shoots by Chaetocnema hortensis Geoffr. larvae ranged from 0.4% (2015) to 35.5% (2011). The greatest damage to shoots by the larvae of Mayetiola destructor Say. was registered in 2018 — 5.7%. Application of fertilizers (manure 6.6 t/ha of the crop rotation area, aftereffect, and mineral fertilizers in the norm N30P30K30 or N45P45K45) provided increased resistance of spring barley plants to damage by pests. On the average over 2011…2020 year period, in the block without fertilizers, damage to shoots by Oscinella pusilla Mg. and O. frit L. larvae was 21.6%, in the fertilized block — 19.3% (decrease at the tendency level). At the tillering stage, the undamaged shoots on the background without fertilizers was 72.5%, on the fertilized background — 76.1% (difference at the tendency level). A reliable converse average correlation was established between the damage of shoots by intrastalk pests and the grain yield of spring barley (r = –0.5). Averaged over ten years, the grain yield in the block without fertilizers was 3.25 t/ha, with the application of fertilizers — 4.69 t/ha, there was a difference of 30.7%.
 Conclusions. The positive role of fertilizers in regulating the number of intrastalk pests of spring barley and increasing grain yield was established.

Registration of LCS ‘Valiant’ hard red winter wheat

AbstractHistorically cultivars developed jointly by the University of Nebraska‐Lincoln and USDA‐ARS wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) improvement project tend to be late and better adapted to the northern Great Plains. LCS ‘Valiant’ (Reg. no. CV‐1196, PI 693223; tested as NE10478‐1) was released based on the merits of its earliness, agronomic performance, relevant disease resistances, and end‐use quality characteristics and its adaptation to the central Great Plains. As such, the line was licensed to Limagrain Cereal Seeds for their ability to market outside of Nebraska. LCS Valiant hard red winter wheat was released in March 2020 by the developing institutions and the licensee. NE10478‐1 was a selection in 2011 for uniformity and grain yield from NE10478, which was derived from the cross NI03418/‘Camelot’. The pedigree of NI03418 is W91‐248/NE95544 (=McVey 78015/NE88521)//‘Thunderbird’. The final cross of NE10478 was made in 2004. The F1 generation was grown in Yuma, AZ, in 2005, and the F2 to F3 generations were advanced as bulks at Mead, NE, in 2006–2007 or sent for Hessian fly resistance screening by the USDA. In 2007, single F3‐derived F4 rows were planted for selection. There was no further selection in NE10478 other than to remove off‐types thereafter until 2011 when heads were selected to increase uniformity. LCS Valiant was evaluated in replicated trials thereafter. It has excellent winter survival, acceptable reactions to many of the common diseases in its target area, and good end‐use quality for bread making.

Prediction of the Current and Future Distributions of the Hessian Fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), under Climatic Change in China.

The Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is a destructive wheat pest worldwide and an important alien species in China. Based on 258 distribution records and nine environmental factors of the Hessian fly, we predicted the potential distribution area in China under three current and future (2050s and 2070s) climate change scenarios (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5) via the optimized MaxEnt model. Under the current climate conditions, the suitable distribution areas of the Hessian fly in China were 25-48° N, 81-123° E, and the total highly suitable distribution area is approximately 9.63 × 105 km2, accounting for 9.99% of the total national area. The highly suitable areas are mainly located in northern Xinjiang and central and eastern China. With the rising global temperatures, except for the high-suitable areas under the RCP8.5 scenario, most potential geographic distribution areas would expand in the future. The minimum temperature in February (tmin-2), precipitation in March (prec-3), maximum temperature in November (tmax-11), and precipitation seasonality (bio-15) are important factors that affect the potential geographic distribution of the Hessian fly. This study provides an important reference and empirical basis for management of the Hessian fly in the future.

Biogenic VOCs Emission Profiles Associated with Plant-Pest Interaction for Phenotyping Applications.

Pest attacks on plants can substantially change plants’ volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emission profiles. Comparison of VOC emission profiles between non-infected/non-infested and infected/infested plants, as well as resistant and susceptible plant cultivars, may provide cues for a deeper understanding of plant-pest interactions and associated resistance. Furthermore, the identification of biomarkers—specific biogenic VOCs—associated with the resistance can serve as a non-destructive and rapid tool for phenotyping applications. This research aims to compare the VOCs emission profiles under diverse conditions to identify constitutive (also referred to as green VOCs) and induced (resulting from biotic/abiotic stress) VOCs released in potatoes and wheat. In the first study, wild potato Solanum bulbocastanum (accession# 22; SB22) was inoculated with Meloidogyne chitwoodi race 1 (Mc1), and Mc1 pathotype Roza (SB22 is resistant to Mc1 and susceptible to pathotype Roza), and VOCs emission profiles were collected using gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) at different time points. Similarly, in the second study, the VOCs emission profiles of resistant (‘Hollis’) and susceptible (‘Alturas’) wheat cultivars infested with Hessian fly insects were evaluated using the GC-FID system. In both studies, in addition to variable plant responses (susceptibility to pests), control treatments (non-inoculated or non-infested) were used to compare the VOCs emission profiles resulting from differences in stress conditions. The common VOC peaks (constitutive VOCs) between control and infected/infested samples, and unique VOC peaks (induced VOCs) presented only in infected/infested samples were analyzed. In the potato-nematode study, the highest unique peak was found two days after inoculation (DAI) for SB22 inoculated with Mc1 (resistance response). The most common VOC peaks in SB22 inoculated with both Mc1 and Roza were found at 5 and 10 DAI. In the wheat-insect study, only the Hollis showed unique VOC peaks. Interestingly, both cultivars released the same common VOCs between control and infected samples, with only a difference in VOC average peak intensity at 22.4 min retention time where the average intensity was 4.3 times higher in the infested samples of Hollis than infested samples of Alturas. These studies demonstrate the potential of plant VOCs to serve as a rapid phenotyping tool to assess resistance levels in different crops.

Reliable DNA Markers for a Previously Unidentified, Yet Broadly Deployed Hessian Fly Resistance Gene on Chromosome 6B in Pacific Northwest Spring Wheat Varieties.

Hessian fly [Mayetiola destructor (Say)] is a major pest of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) throughout the United States and in several other countries. A highly effective and economically feasible way to control Hessian fly is with resistant cultivars. To date, over 37 Hessian fly resistance genes have been discovered and their approximate locations mapped. Resistance breeding is still limited, though, by the genes’ effectiveness against predominant Hessian fly biotypes in a given production area, genetic markers that are developed for low-throughput marker systems, poorly adapted donor germplasm, and/or the inadequacy of closely linked DNA markers to track effective resistance genes in diverse genetic backgrounds. The purposes of this study were to determine the location of the Hessian fly resistance gene in the cultivar “Kelse” (PI 653842) and to develop and validate Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) markers for the resistance locus. A mapping population was genotyped and screened for Hessian fly resistance. The resulting linkage map created from 2,089 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism SNP markers placed the resistance locus on the chromosome 6B short arm, near where H34 has been reported. Three flanking SNPs near the resistance locus were converted to KASP assays which were then validated by fine-mapping and testing a large panel of breeding lines from hard and soft wheat germplasm adapted to the Pacific Northwest. The KASP markers presented here are tightly linked to the resistance locus and can be used for marker-assisted selection by breeders working on Hessian fly resistance and allow confirmation of this Hessian fly resistance gene in diverse germplasm.

Effect of temperature on biological characteristics and life table parameters of Dicrodiplosis manihoti Harris on cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley

• Dicrodiplosis manihoti Harris is one of the most common fly species in mealybugs colonies. • The average egg produced by females D. manihoti decreased as the temperature increased. • The highest (0.0374 ± 0.0206) intrinsic rate of increase (r m ) was seen at 32 °C. • Dicrodiplosis. manihoti has a good potential to control of P. solenopsis . • The temperature of around 32 °C is the best for mass rearing D. manihoti. The cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is one of the polyphagous and destructive pests in the world. It has caused a lot of damage in cotton fields and settles on other host plants, especially Chinese hibiscus shrubs Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. and causes irrecoverable damages to these ornamental plants and urban landscape. Midge fly Dicrodiplosis manihoti Harris (Dip.: Cecidomiidae) is one of the most common fly species which was collected in mealybugs colonies. In this study, the biology and age-stage, two-sex life table parameters of Dicrodiplosis manihoti, was evaluated at four constant temperatures (22, 27, 32 and 37 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 5 % RH and a photoperiod of 16: 8 (L: D) h) in the laboratory conditions. The developmental pre-adult period was found as 36.12 ± 0.38, 24.09 ± 0.41, 14.96 ± 0.34 and 12.68 ± 0.26 days and the average egg produced by females was 23.65 ± 2.86, 11.14 ± 2.09, 12.32 ± 3.94 and 8.57 ± 0.67 at those temperatures, respectively which decreased as the temperature increased from 22 to 37 °C, respectively. The population intrinsic rate of increase (r m ) was 0.0247 ± 0.0051, 0.0291 ± 0.0099, 0.0374 ± 0.0206 and 0.0103 ± 0.0129 (d -1 ), and the population finite rate of increase (λ) for the above mentioned temperatures was 1.0249 ± 0.0052, 1.0295 ± 0.0101, 1.0384 ± 0.0212 and 1.0104 ± 0.0130 (d -1 ), respectively. Also, the net reproductive rate (R 0 ) at the above mentioned temperatures was 2.62 ± 0.5, 2.19 ± 0.53, 2.05 ± 0.73 and 1.18 ± 0.22 offspring respectively. The shortest (T = 14.88 ± 0.45 days) and the longest (T = 38.28 ± 0.65 days) mean generation time was recorded at 37 and 22 °C, respectively. According to the results of this study D. manihoti has a good potential to control of Ph. solenopsis and the temperature of around 32 °C is the best for mass rearing this predator.

A new soft red winter wheat cultivar ‘GA 08535‐15LE29’ adapted to Georgia and the U.S. southeast region

AbstractSoft red winter wheat (SRWW) (Triticum aestivum L.) production in the southeastern United States is affected by biotic and abiotic stresses that can result in yield losses and reduced acreage. Developing new cultivars with high yield, good resistance to predominant pests, and acceptable quality to maximize value in regional markets is needed. The University of Georgia (UGA) SRWW breeding program, in collaboration with institutions in the region including the Southern UNiversities GRAINS (SUNGRAINS) programs, is responding to these challenges by developing and releasing superior cultivars adapted to the region. ‘GA 08535‐15LE29’ (Reg. no. CV‐1191, PI 693269) SRWW cultivar was developed and released by the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and licensed to Uni South Genetics seed company in 2018 as USG 3640. GA 08535‐15LE29 is well adapted to Georgia and the U.S. southeast region with high yield and good resistance to leaf (Puccinia triticina Erikss.) and stripe (P. striiformis Westend.) rusts, Fusarium head blight (caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe), powdery mildew (Erisyphe graminis), and Soil‐borne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV) diseases. GA 08535‐15LE29 showed moderate field resistance to Hessian fly [Mayetiola destructor (Say)]. GA 08535‐15LE29 has Sbm1 and Yr17/Lr37/Sr38 for resistance to SBWMV and rust diseases and has good grain volume weight and acceptable milling and baking qualities.

Impact of Heat Stress on Expression of Wheat Genes Responsive to Hessian Fly Infestation.

Heat stress compromises wheat (Triticum aestivium) resistance to Hessian fly (HF, Mayetiola destructor (Say)). This study aimed to investigate the impact of heat stress on transcript expression of wheat genes associated with resistance to HF infestation under normal and heat-stressed conditions. To this end, ‘Molly’, a wheat cultivar containing the resistance gene H13, was subjected to HF infestation, heat stress, and the combination of HF infestation and heat stress. Our RNA-Seq approach identified 21 wheat genes regulated by HF infestation under normal temperatures (18 °C) and 155 genes regulated by HF infestation when plants were exposed to 35 °C for 6 h. Three differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from the RNA-Seq analysis were selected to validate the gene function of these DEGs using the RT-qPCR approach, indicating that these DEGs may differentially contribute to the expression of wheat resistance during the early stage of wheat–HF interaction under various stresses. Moreover, the jasmonate ZIM domain (JAZ) gene was also significantly upregulated under these treatments. Our results suggest that the genes in heat-stressed wheat plants are more responsive to HF infestation than those in plants growing under normal temperature conditions, and these genes in HF-infested wheat plants are more responsive to heat stress than those in plants without infestation.

Gall midge Baldratia salicorniae Kieffer (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) infestation on Salicornia europaea L. induces the production of specialized metabolites with biotechnological potential

Saltmarsh plants have several defense mechanisms against threatening abiotic conditions, such as salinity, inundation, or exposure to intense radiation, less is known regarding response to insect pests attack. Salicornia europaea L. plant stands are produced as cash crops in Portuguese coastal areas. In 2017, these crops suffered significant attacks from a gall midge fly (Baldratia salicorniae Kieffer), reducing its economic value. To understand how this attack influenced S. europaea chemical composition, infested and non-infested branches were collected, and their extracts were analysed by GS-MS and UHPLC-MS. Results revealed that different degrees of infestations displayed different chemical composition. Several compounds were for the first time identified in S. europaea, such as, arachidic acid, alpha-tocopherol, henicos-1-ene, and squalene. Most evident results were the reduced amount of alkanes in the infested conditions, which seems to be a direct consequence of insect infestation. Several compounds identified in the infested branches are known to have negative effects on insect larvae by reducing larval growth (linoleic acid) or increasing insect mortality (oleic acid). Halophyte plants production is increasing and it is accompanied by the urge to develop early control strategies against potential pests. These strategies may include ecological friendly solutions such as endogenous production of specialized metabolites to retrieve plant self-defences. Further, our results showed that B. salicorniae herbivory also induced the production of higher number of specialized metabolites with important known biological activities. In years in which high infestations reduce organoleptic qualities for fresh consumption plants can be used in biorefinery industries for metabolite extraction.

Dual objectives of forage drying and insect disinfestation

Rotary drum dryers are used to dry forage crops prior to compacting the dried biomass into compressed bales. Compressed bales are desirable for long distances transport. In Canada, forage grown in the field may blend with agropyrons and wheat plants that are host to pupae stage of quarantine insect Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor, Say). A few of the importing countries like Japan and The Republic of South Korea specify that a dryer could destroy the insect, provided that the material is maintained above a certain temperature and for a specific duration. A field trial on a commercial rotary drum dryer operating in a hay processing plant in Rolling Hills, Alberta, was conducted. The tests established that the biomass experienced a temperature larger than 90°C for a period of longer than 100 s when the chopped hay passed through the dyer. A longer residence time was predicted when a cascading model computed residence time in the dryer. A simple formula was developed to estimate the residence time from throughput and the holding mass capacity of the drum and the cyclone.

Registration of ‘Faraj’, a Hessian fly– and multiple disease–resistant durum wheat cultivar in Morocco

AbstractDurum wheat [Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum (Desf.)] is cultivated on nearly one million hectares in Morocco.About half of the durum‐planted areas are located in unfavorable rainfed areas. The predominant abiotic stresses are drought and heat, and the predominant biotic stresses are Hessian fly, leaf rust, tan spot, Septoria blotch, and root rot. End use grain quality‐related traits are important. ‘Faraj’ (Reg. no. CV‐1190, PI 699898) is a durum cultivar that possesses adaptation to drought and genetic resistance to Hessian fly, leaf rust, tan spot, and Septoria leaf blotch and tolerance to root rot. Faraj possesses good levels of grain yellow pigment and grain protein concentration. Faraj was registered in 2007 and released to seed commercialization in 2014. Faraj could be used by breeders as a good genetic resource with grain yield potential and end use quality as well as resistance or tolerance to multiple diseases and pests.

Emergent trophic interactions following the Chinook salmon invasion of Patagonia

AbstractIn their native range, Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) have strong interactions with a multitude of species due to the annual pulse of marine‐derived nutrients that they deliver to streams and forests when they spawn and die. Over the past few decades, Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) has established non‐native populations throughout the Patagonia region of southern South America. Here, we provide the first assessment of the pathways through which salmon‐derived nutrients enter stream and forest food webs in Patagonia by surveying multiple streams in southern Chile to identify invertebrate and vertebrate consumers of salmon carcasses and summarizing all documented trophic interactions of Chinook salmon in Patagonia. Blowflies (Calliphoridae) were the dominant colonizer of carcasses in the riparian zone, and midge flies (Chironomidae) were the most common invertebrate on submerged carcasses. Camera trap monitoring in the riparian zone revealed consumption of carcasses or carcass‐associated invertebrates by the insectivorous passerine bird “chucao” (Scelorchilis rubecula), small rodents (black rat Rattus rattus, house mouse Mus musculus, and/or colilargo Oligoryzomys longicaudatus), the South American fox “culpeo” (Lycalopex culpaeus), and the invasive American mink (Neovison vison). A mink was filmed transferring a carcass from stream to streambank, indicating that vertebrate scavenging likely increases the degree to which marine‐derived nutrients enter terrestrial food webs. The native taxa that consume salmon are closely related to species that benefit from salmon consumption in North America, suggesting that the pathways of salmon nutrient incorporation in North American food webs have functionally re‐emerged in South America. Similarly, non‐native trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss and Salmo trutta) and mink consume salmon in Patagonia, and their eco‐evolutionary history of coexistence with salmon could mean that they are preadapted for salmon consumption and could thus be key beneficiaries of this invasion. Expanded monitoring of the abundance and impacts of salmon will be vital for understanding how these novel inputs of marine‐derived nutrients alter Patagonian food webs.