b"RETAIL STRATEGYKNOWLEDGE OF GENETICS IS CHANGING THE FACE OF PEST MANAGEMENTWhen it comes to wheat midge, soybean cyst nematode and root rot in pulses, researchers are staying ahead of the enemy.Marc ZienkiewiczIMAGINE YOU'RE A tiny wheat midge, buzzing around in search of the perfect place to lay your eggs. As you fly over a wheat field, you pick up scents with your delicate antennae. These scents, or volatile organic chemicals, tell you a lot about the wheat plants below. Some wheat emits odours that just dont appeal to youtheyre like a poorly mixed sound equalizer, with ratios of chemicals that dont quite hitSoybean cyst nematode hasStunted, yellowing pea plants withWheat midge larvae. the mark. When the ratios arereduced yields in the Unitedsevere root rot causing a reducedPhoto: AAFCright, though, its like a per- States and its only a matter of timeroot system, discoloration and lack fect harmony to your senses.before it becomes more commonof nodulation. These plants smell inviting,in Canada.Photo: CROP DEVELOPMENT CENTREand youre drawn to lay yourPhoto: USDA-ARSeggs there.Scientists have discoveredatile cues isnt easyit tookalong with other geneticeasily throughout the entire that some wheat varieties nat- scientists years of collectingregions altering wheats scentvalue chain. Its not just urally deter you from layingair samples from wheat fieldsto make it less appealing toabout producers; it also eggs. Its not about taste, butto decipher which chemicalswheat midge. involves seed commercial-smell. These plants releasedeterred midge and whichIts tools like this thatizing organizations coming volatiles that mimic thosedidnt. Now, armed with thisrepresent a new weapon in thetogether to develop policies, found during post-anthesis, aknowledge, we can betterfight against pests and diseasestrategies, and priorities, stage wheat goes through thatunderstand how plants defendin crops. While chemistry stillsays Sabine Banniza, pulse makes it hard for insect larvaethemselves and how insectsplays an important role, aspathologist at the University to survive.like wheat midge respondscience uncovers new secretsof Saskatchewans Crop So, even if the wheat is atto their environment, saysabout the genetic worldDevelopment Centre (CDC). a pre-anthesis stage, optimalTyler Wist, entomologistinside plants, researchers areThese efforts are aimed for your larvaes survival, itswith Agriculture and Agri- increasingly looking at plantsat identifying the necessary smell tells you otherwise.Food Canada (AAFC) inown genetics to find out howresearch to keep pulse crops Its a clever trickaSaskatoon, Sask. to help them defend againstcompetitive in the global plant defense strategy calledWists team is uncover- threats, sometimes in com- market.oviposition deterrence. Justing new traits and genes thatbination with chemistry andBannizas pathology like any caring parent, youprotect wheat from destruc- other products. program, like Wists team, avoid wasting your eggs ontive pests like wheat midge.When you consideris also actively looking at plants that wont support yourTheyve identified a novelthe pulse industry, theresthe genetics inherent in offspring well.QTL region enhancing thea well-established networkpulses like pea and lentil Understanding these vol- efficacy of the Sm1 gene,where information flowsto create new defenses 42 SEEDWORLD.COM/CANADA SEPTEMBER 2024"