Evaluation of Cell Culture as a Screening Technique for Determining Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Resistance in Bermudagrass

Cell cultures of bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., were evaluated for potential use in screening for fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), resistance. Techniques were developed to obtain aseptic larvae that would develop normally while feeding on bermudagrass callus. Egg mass sterilization in 0.79% sodium hypochlorite for 4 min was optimal. Callus developed from the bermudagrass varieties ‘Coastal,’ ‘Crazer,’ and ‘Tifton 292,’ and the selection OSU 71 × 6-7 was fed to fall armyworm. Differences among varieties were found in callus feeding experiments; however, the specific resistance rating was not the same as that obtained in earlier leaf screening tests. Differences also were found among varieties in the callus preference tests. The ratings were not similar to those obtained in earlier leaf preference tests. Cell culture does not appear to offer any additional advantages over existing methods for screening for fall armyworm resistance in bermudagrass.