VIEW ARTICLE

Selective Inbreeding of Macrosteles fascifrons for Increased Efficiency in Virus Transmission. Roland G. Timian, Plant Science Research Division, ARS, USDA, North Dakota State University, Fargo 58102; Kerman Alm, Plant Pathology Department, North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, North Dakota State University, Fargo 58102. Phytopathology 63:109-112. Accepted for publication 26 July 1972. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-63-109.

The efficiency of transmitting oat blue dwarf virus (OBDV) was more than doubled in some lines of Macrosteles fascifrons through selection for transmission and inbreeding for three generations. The ability to transmit at a high rate was retained through four additional generations in which selection was not involved. Leafhopper lines selected for transmission of OBDV transmitted at 69%, whereas those selected for nontransmission transmitted at a rate of 6% after the same number of inbreeding generations. Inbreeding did not change the incubation time of the virus in the vector, and there was no apparent effect on reproduction in most lines of inbred leafhoppers.