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Published in Crop Sci 9:667-669 (1969)
© 1969 Crop Science Society of America
677 S. Segoe Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA
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Influence of Developmental Stage of Melilotus infesta Leaves on Resistance to Feeding by the Sweetclover Weevil1

W. R. Akeson, G. L. Beland, F. A. Haskins and H. J. Gorz2

Leaves of 6- to 8-week old Melilotus infesta plants contained progressively higher levels of nitrate as the leaves developed from the tightly pinched to the fully expanded stage. In weevil feeding tests on water extracts of these leaves a close relationship was found between actual feeding and the feeding predicted on the basis of nitrate content. At a given level of nitrate, extracts of young M. infesta leaves were less attractive to the weevil than were extracts of young M. officinalis leaves. Leaves of mature M. infesta plants contained very little nitrate, but water extracts of such leaves remained unattractive to the weevil in feeding tests. These extracts were lower in Stimulant A activity and higher in Deterrent A activity than extracts of mature M. officinalis leaves. Swectclover weevil resistance is influenced by the balance between Stimulant A, Deterrent A, and Deterrent B (nitrate), and the relative contributions of the different factors vary with stage of development of the leaves and the plant. Nitrate appears to be the predominant water-soluble factor in young leaves, and Deterrent A and Stimulant A assume increased importance in leaves from mature plants.

Key Words: Sitona cylindricollis • Nitrate • Feeding stimulant • Feeding deterrent

1 A cooperative investigation between the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Nebraska, and the Entomology Research Division and Crops Research Division, Agricultural Research Service, USDA. Supported in part by ARS Grant No. 12-14-100-8027 (33). Portions of the data are taken from a thesis submitted by G. L. Beland to the Graduate College, University of Nebraska, in partial fulfillment of the requirelnents for the Master of Science degree. Contribution No. 311, Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska. Published with the approval of the Director as Paper No. 2502, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station.

2 Assistant Professor of Agronomy; Research Assistant in Entomology; Bert Rodgers Professor of Agronomy; and Research Geneticist, Crops Research Division, ARS, USDA, respectively, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebr. 68503. The technical assistance of Henry J. Stevens, Agr. Res. Tech., Entomology Research Division, ARS, USDA, is gratefully acknowledged.

Received for publication April 14, 1969.




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