Sustainable management of insect-borne fungal plant diseases: A case study in Canada
Journal
The 3rd APEC Workshop on Sustainable Agricultural Development
Part Of
農業試驗所特刊第109號
Pages
133-145
ISBN
957-01-6962-1
Date Issued
2004-03
Date
2004-03
Author(s)
Henry Hung-Chang Huang
Abstract
Verticillium wilt of alfalfa, caused by Verticillium albo-atrum, is used as an example for discussion of insect transmission of fungal plant pathogens and management of insect-borne diseases. The disease is important in Europe, North America and northern Japan and it affects the tame hay production and other alfalfa-related industries, including the dehydrated alfalfa industry, the pedigreed seed and leafcutter bee industries and the livestock industry. Studies in Canada reveal that V albo-atrum can be spread by insect, pests, predators and pollinators, as well as by alfalfa pollen. Some insects such as pea aphid, alfalfa weevil, grasshopper and leafcutter bee are effective vectors for the disease. Breeding for disease resistance is thus far the most effective means for control of verticillium wilt of alfalfa. Three alfalfa cultivars, Barrier, AC Blue J and AC Longview with high levels of resistance to verticillium wilt and bacterial wilt and adapted to the Canadian prairies, have been released from the breeding program at the Lethbridge Research Centre, Alberta, Canada. These disease resistant cultivars have increased forage yield, improved hay quality by reducing weed infestations, and prolonged stand life of alfalfa. Since verticillium wilt is an insect-borne disease, effective management of insect vectors should be part of the strategy for the control of this disease. Research on control of plant diseases by insect management remains a fertile ground and thus, demands the attention of plant pathologists, entomologists and plant breeders.
Key Words: alfalfa, Medicago sativa, Verticillium wilt, Verticillium albo-atruin, insect vector, disease resistance, control
Event(s)
The 3rd APEC Workshop on Sustainable Agricultural Development
Subjects
alfalfa
Medicago sativa
Verticillium wilt
Verticillium albo-atrum
insect vector
disease resistance
control
Publisher
農業試驗所
Type
conference paper
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publication_no109-13.pdf
Size
1.55 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
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