Project Number: 6659-22000-016-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Apr 04, 2004
End Date: Sep 30, 2005

Objective:
Investigate the role of sweetpotato and pepper root components in resistance to soil insects and diseases and develop techniques for rapid selection of resistant genotypes by breeders. Investigate cover crop mulching system for weed control in the southeast and characterize the effect of vegetable crop growth habit on weed suppression.

Approach:
Determine the role of sweetpotato secondary metabolites in resistance to root feeding insects, root rotting fugi. (Fusarium oxysporum and F. solani) and a root rotting bacterium. (Erwinia chrysanthemi). Use chromatography and bioassay techniques to isolate active compounds for identification by cooperating chemists. Develop efficient chemical test to identify resistant clones. Determine if root knot nematode inhibiting compounds in resistant pepper cultivars contribute to resistance, and isolate active root components. Evaluate common vetch, hairy vetch and crimson clover as killed mulches for spring planted pepper production, and cowpea, soybean, sunnhemp and velvetbean for fall planted cole crop production. Assess effects of cover crops on weed suppression and crop growth and identify cultivars that are most suitable for the Southeast. Investigate weed interference as influenced by growth habits of cowpea and sweetpotato cultivars to determine most competitive cvs.

Project Team

Harrison, Howard

Related National Programs

Plant Diseases (303)   Crop Protection & Quarantine (304)