Revealing the mechanism of resistance among strawberry genotypes against Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood

Strawberry is an important specialty crop grown in Florida, generating revenue of about $399 million. Among many production challenges, chilli thrips Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood, is becoming a major issue recently in Florida strawberries. Pesticide application is not always helpful in managing this pest because of a high potential of developing insecticidal resistance. Host plant resistance is a budding alternative to manage this pest. The mechanism of resistance (antixenosis or antibiosis) among strawberry genotypes acting against S. dorsalis has not been assessed before. Six commercial cultivars and fourteen breeding lines were evaluated for their mechanism of resistance against S. dorsalis through choice and no-choice tests. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at GCREC during the strawberry growing season 2022-23. Each cultivar was replicated ten times for both choice and no-choice tests. Physical properties of each cultivar such as canopy size, leaf thickness, and trichome count were measured. Chemical properties such as volatile organic compounds from each cultivar were also identified. The number of S. dorsalis from the trifoliate and feeding damage on the strawberry genotypes will be correlated with each of the physical and chemical properties. Heritable physical and chemical characteristics involved in resistance can be utilized for developing future resistant strawberry cultivars against S. dorsalis.