Evaluation of Virginia peanut cultivars and advanced breeding lines for resistance to southern corn rootworm

The Southern Corn Rootworm (SCRW) Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber is one the important pests of Virginia and North Carolina Peanuts. As larvae, this pest feeds on the pod as it matures under the soil, causing significant economic losses if left untreated. Until 2022, Chlorpyrifos was one of the most effective insecticides against SCR; following its removal from market shelves, there is now a critical need to identify alternative management approaches to combat this pest. This field study was conducted to identify sources of resistance or tolerance to SCR by screening all Virginia-type peanuts grown in the Southeast. In addition, the effectiveness of early harvest dates (i.e., early maturing varieties) is being evaluated as a cultural method to reduce SCR damage. Field plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design with a total of 25 commercial cultivars and advanced breeding lines each replicated 5 times. The number of damaged shells was used to assess damage in each variety. To date, our data indicated varieties that have more mature pods at harvest could have lower amounts of damage. The second year of this study is ongoing, and the results will be analyzed and presented. Identifying and planting less susceptible varieties to SCR can contribute to the development of an effective integrated pest management strategy against SCR.