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Selecting Alfalfa Seedlings to Resist the Potato Leafhopper 1
Author(s) -
Sorensen Edgar L.,
Horber Ernst
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1974.0011183x001400010025x
Subject(s) - biology , seedling , leafhopper , medicago sativa , agronomy , infestation , forage , resistance (ecology) , horticulture , botany , hemiptera
We subjected three alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) synthetics to two cycles of recurrent phenotypic seedling selection for resistance to the potato leafhopper [ Empoasca fabae (Harris)] in growth chambers. Resistance, based on seedling survival after infestation, was increased by cyclic selection. Resistance to leafhopper yellowing in the field increased directly with cycles of seedling selection in each synthetic. Spring growth and plant vigor were increased in each synthetic. However, actual forage yield declined in one synthetic, did not change in a second, and increased in a third, indicating the importance of field testing in conjunction with laboratory screening.