Montana State University researchers working on spring wheat cultivars resistant to orange wheat blossom midge
From the northwestern corner of Montana to the eastern edge of the state, MSU's Research Centers are conducting research in and for the agricultural and natural resource communities of Mon-tana.
Agronomists from the centers, working with other MSU scientists, are finding ways to protect Montana's crops from insect and disease infestations.
They are breeding new varieties of crops to better serve the needs of Montana producers and global customers.
In Flathead County, a 2006 outbreak of orange wheat blossom midge (OWBM) cost spring wheat producers over $1.5 million. Instead of getting 80 bushels per acre, producers saw yields of two or three bushels per acre.
In an effort to identify a spring wheat with a natural OWBM resistance, agronomist Bob Stougaard, of the Northwestern Research Center near Kalispell, grew 64 entries of spring wheat and dissected their heads to count midges. He found that some varieties (McNeal, Thatcher and Choteau) are very susceptible to the OWBM, while other varieties (those with Reeder in their parentage) were less attractive to adult female midges.
Stougaard then shared his work with Bozeman-based researchers from the Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology (PSPP) and Land Resources and Environmental Sciences (LRES) Depart-ments.
PSPP spring wheat breeder Luther Talbert bred a spring wheat population derived from crosses between Reeder (non-preferred by the midge) and Conan (preferred by the midge).
Jamie Sherman, a PSPP molecular geneticist, used Talbert's population to genetically map and identify a major gene that appears to control the level of plant attractiveness to the OWBM. This non-preference gene could potentially serve as a new form of resistance.
The use of this trait has recently become more plausible as Sherman has identified molecular markers. The markers may be used to screen and select genetic material carrying this gene.
Next, LRES entomologist David Weaver will sample selected experimental lines grown at NWARC for volatile organic compounds. The goal is to identify the molecules responsible for the non-preference.
Stougaard will continue to screen morespring wheat cultivars in hopes of identifying additional forms of plant resistance.
“OWBM is a problem in spring and winter wheat around the world, not just in Flathead County,” said Stougaard. “An OWBM resistant cultivar will benefit many growers.”
