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Clover arena strategy survival arena8/14/2023 Since the cancellation of broad-spectrum soil-active insecticides (e.g., carbofuran) and fumigants commonly used against pests like alfalfa weevil, there have been notable increases in CRC populations and associated root damage. Furthermore, larval feeding damage increases plant susceptibility to Fusarium (Hypocreales: Nectriaceae) infections which can exacerbate these crop health issues. Larval feeding can result in reduced stand life and plant density, stunting, yield loss, and decreased plant overwintering survival (e.g., ). Conversely, immature CRC feed on roots belowground and are recognized as the damaging stage. Adults feed aboveground on leaves, yet typically do not cause economic losses. CRC is univoltine and widely distributed throughout the continental United States, from as far north as Alaska and south to Mexico. These results provide possible candidates and screening method for the development and evaluation of alfalfa cultivars that may reduce the impacts of larval feeding and that offer an additional option for CRC management.Ĭlover root curculio (CRC) is oligophagous on Fabacea but is primarily an alfalfa and clover (Fabales: Fabaceae) pest that negatively affects alfalfa plant health and yield. Adult feeding and oviposition aboveground were similar across all populations tested. Although larval development was similar across susceptible and resistant alfalfa populations, one CRC-resistant population (NY1713) displayed overall increased nodulation and, thus, had a significantly lower proportion of nodules consumed by larvae. The development of a soil-less arena provided a useful method for evaluation of root-larva interactions. Field screening revealed that the alfalfa populations selected for little or no larval root feeding damage were more resistant to CRC larval feeding than their corresponding unselected cultivars and significantly more resistant than populations selected for susceptibility. Further, one CRC-resistant population paired with its genetically similar susceptible population were tested against adult leaf consumption and oviposition in the greenhouse. This method was used to evaluate five alfalfa populations (two CRC-susceptible (control) and three CRC-resistant populations) against larvae. Subsequently, we developed a soil-less arena to observe nodule feeding and development (head capsule width) of larvae in the lab. First, we field screened developmental alfalfa populations for CRC damage. Current CRC management practices are limited in their ability to suppress larval feeding belowground. Since the cancellation of broad-spectrum soil-active insecticides in alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) production, clover root curculio ( Sitona hispidulus F.) (CRC) larval root damage has increased. These results provide possible candidates and soil-less method for the development and evaluation of alfalfa cultivars that may reduce the impacts of CRC root feeding and that offer an additional option for CRC management. While larval development was similar across the alfalfa populations tested in the lab, one alfalfa population (NY1713) displayed an overall increase in nodulation resulting in significantly lower proportions of nodules being consumed by larvae. Divergent selection in two alfalfa cultivars in field nurseries revealed that there is genetic variability in resistance to CRC larval feeding and that significant gains in resistance from selection can occur in as few as two or three cycles of selection. Here, we evaluated alfalfa populations for resistance to CRC larval feeding and development belowground, and adult leaf consumption and oviposition aboveground. With the cancellation of soil-active insecticides in alfalfa, CRC populations and associated root damage have increased. Clover root curculio (CRC) is a root feeding pest of alfalfa and clover that reduces stand life and yield.
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