Variation in susceptibility of selelected wheat genotypes to Rhisopertha dominica

Abstract

Lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) represents one of economically most important primary pests of durable commodities in storages. It primarily feeds and develops on products with high level of starch, such as wheat. Recently, it has become a pest of growing importance for wheat because losses often exceed economic thresholds. The aim of this study was to investigate susceptibility of 30 Serbian wheat genotypes to R. dominica. The collected genotypes include different modern and old commercial varieties and local populations (landraces). A no-choice test was conducted in glass bottles (100 mL) under conditions of artificial infestation. Susceptibility (further on interpreted as resistance) was assessed based on progeny production on each genotype after one, two, and three months of exposure, as well as grain consumption (g and %). Each jar contained 50 g of intact wheat grains from a specific genotype, with twelve replicates per genotype. Obtained results indicate that the most susceptible or the most suitable for R. dominica development were modern bread wheat cultivars. The results point out that some tested local populations (landraces), with very low or none loss of grains in biotest, as well as very low progeny production, can serve as valuable source of resistance for breading programs. Moreover, those genotypes could be recommended for cultivation in region where this pest is present in high abundance, or where pest’s resistance towards insecticides is detected.