Usage of the resynthesized oilseed rape genotype S30 for improving resistance against the cabbage stem weevil, a main pest of german oilseed rape

The cabbage stem weevil ( Ceutorhynchus napi Gyl.) is one of the economically most important spring pests of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus) in Germany. The weevil lays its eggs into the stem; the mining activity of the hatching larvae causes stem distortion and promotes infection by stem rot disease (Leptosphaeria maculans). Cabbage stem weevil infestation can cause yield losses of up to 50% and multiple insecticide treatments are carried out by growers. The approval and use of insecticides in winter oilseed rape is subject to ever increasing restrictions in order to exclude the risk of negative effects on humans and the ecosystem, especially on honeybees. Increasing insecticide resistance among pests requires the development of genetic resistance in winter rape varieties. The aim of the project is to identify biochemical and molecular markers of C. napi resistance in oilseed rape by combing field and laboratory experiments with metabolomic and transcriptomic approaches. Starting point is the resistant resynthesized oilseed rape genotype S30.


Collaboration(s): Ivo Feussner (Department for Plant Biochemistry, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen), Christian Möllers (Division of Crop Plant Genetics, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen)

Involved colleague(s): Vollhardt, Ulber, Rostás

Geförderung durch die Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (FNR)