No more aphids

Nov 1, 2004 12:00 PM

Soybean aphids may be a minor problem in the future. Researchers at the University of Illinois recently announced that they have identified commercial varieties with effective resistance to soybean aphids.

The researchers identified a single-gene source of aphid resistance that can be easily crossed into elite commercial varieties. Growers may be able to buy varieties with aphid resistance within three to four years, according to Glen Hartman, plant pathologist with USDA's Agricultural Research Service at the university.

The researchers spent three years looking for aphid resistance. They searched through 100 cultivars used to develop virtually all of today's soybean varieties. Among these cultivars, two were resistant to aphids. The researchers also developed methods for identifying and breeding resistant plants.

For more information, visit www.otm.uiuc.edu/techs/techdetail.asp?id=267.