b'S T R A T E G Y A featured segment designed to help you in the realm of retail seed sales. Knowledge of Genetics is Changing the Faceof Pest ManagementWhen it comes to wheat midge, soybean cyst nematode and root rot in pulses, researchers are staying ahead of the enemy.Marc ZienkiewiczIMAGINE YOUREa tiny wheat midge, buzzing around in search of the per-fect place to lay your eggs. As you fly over a wheat field, you pick up scents with your deli-cate antennae. These scents, or volatile organic chemicals, tell you a lot about the wheat plants below. Some wheat emits odors that just dont appeal to youtheyre like a poorly mixed sound equalizer, with ratios of chemicals that dont quite hit the mark. When the ratios areSoybean cyst nematode hasStunted, yellowing pea plantsWheat midge larvae.PHOTO: AAFCright, though, its like a perfectreduced yields in the Unitedwith severe root rot causing a harmony to your senses.States and its only a matter ofreduced root system, These plants smell inviting,time before it becomes morediscoloration and lack of and youre drawn to lay yourcommon in Canada.PHOTO: USDA-ARS nodulation.PHOTO: CROP DEVELOPMENT CENTREeggs there.Scientists have discoveredUnderstanding theseregion enhancing the efficacyUniversity of Saskatchewans that some wheat varietiesvolatile cues isnt easyitof the Sm1 gene, along withCrop Development Centre naturally deter you from layingtook scientists years of col- other genetic regions altering(CDC). eggs. Its not about taste, butlecting air samples fromwheats scent to make it lessBannizas pathology smell. These plants releasewheat fields to decipher whichappealing to wheat midge. program, like Wists team, volatiles that mimic thosechemicals deterred midgeIts tools like this thatis also actively looking at found in post-anthesis wheat,and which didnt. Now, armedrepresent a new weapon inthe genetics inherent in a stage wheat goes throughwith this knowledge, we canthe fight against pests andpulses like pea and lentil to that make it hard for insectbetter understand how plantsdisease in crops.create new defenses against larvae to survive on them.defend themselves and howWhen you considerAphanomyces root rot. So, even if the wheat is at ainsects like wheat midgethe pulse industry, theresIt thrives in wet, warm pre-anthesis stage, optimal forrespond to their environment,a well-established networkconditions and has expanded your larvaes survival, its smellsays Tyler Wist, entomolo- where information flows easilyacross the province, causing tells you otherwise.gist with Agriculture andthroughout the entire valueup to 6084% yield declines Its like a clever trickaAgri-Food Canada (AAFC) inchain. Its not just about pro- in pea and lentil with losses in plant defense strategy calledSaskatoon, Sask. ducers; it also involves seedsales and exports of up to $1.5 oviposition deterrence. JustWists team is uncover- commercializing organizationsbillion a year, according to the like any caring parent, youing new traits and genes thatcoming together to developSaskatchewan Pulse Growers avoid wasting your eggs onprotect wheat from destruc- policies, strategies, and pri- (SPG).plants that wont support yourtive pests like wheat midge.orities, says Sabine Banniza,Currently, a few specific offspring well.Theyve identified a novel QTLpulse pathologist at thepractices or products can 36/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEPTEMBER 2024'