Buffalograss, Buchloe dactyloides, is receiving considerable attention as an alternative turfgrass species because of its low maintenance requirements and relative freedom from disease and arthropod pests. Recently, however, the chinch bug, Blissus occiduus has emerged as an important insect pest of this native warm-season prairie grass. The deployment of insect-resistant turfgrasses offers an attractive approach for managing chinch bugs and other insect pests associated with buffalograss because it is economical, sustainable, and fits well with buffalograss’ low maintenance reduced pesticide input philosophy. Accordingly, greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the categories of resistance of 10 buffalograss cultivars/selections (‘Cody’, ‘Tatanka’, ‘Texoka’, ‘315’, ‘378’, ‘609’, NE84-45-3, NE86-120, NE86-61, NE91-118) previously screened for resistance to B. occiduus. From these initial greenhouse screenings, Cody, Tatanka, NE91-118 were determined to be resistant to B. occiduus, whereas NE84-45-3 and 378 were susceptible. No-choice experiments served to assess the relative levels of tolerance among these buffalograsses. No statistical differences in turfgrass quality were detected between infested and non-infested Cody, Tatanka, and NE91-118 plants. These no-choice experiments also served to develop and evaluate several tolerance indices based on turfgrass quality, chinch bug damage ratings, plant height, and plant biomass. Turfgrass quality and chinch bug damage ratings were identified as the most suitable parameters for assessing buffalograss tolerance to B. occiduus. Research designed to investigate plant protein profiles as molecular indicators of buffalograss tolerance to B. occiduus is underway. These studies will characterize changes in plant protein profiles of tolerant and susceptible buffalograsses before and after chinch bug feeding and investigate the use of these profile changes as protein-mediated markers to screen for chinch bug resistance in buffalograss. Plant proteins from susceptible and resistant buffalograss were analyzed by native and denaturing gel electrophoresis to obtain information about isozyme patterns and total protein profiles. Native gels were evaluated for esterase, peroxidase, and alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme activity. This research offers a new molecular perspective on plant resistance to insects and will provide a comprehensive model for studying insect-plant interactions.

Index terms: Buchloe dactyloides, Blissus occiduus, plant resistance, turfgrass

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