The biology and behaviour of redlegged earth mite and blue oat mite on crop plants [Halotydeus destructor; Penthaleus major]. [Workshop paper]
1995
McDonald, G. | Moritz, K. (Agriculture Vic toria, Bundoora (Australia). Plant Sciences and Biotechnology) | Merton, E. | Hoffmann, A.A. (La Trobe Univ., Bundoora (Australia). School of Genetics and Human Variation)
Earth mites are one of the major deterrents to the successful establishment of winter oilseeds, particularly canola. In order to understand how crop management practices may impact on mites and their damage, a study of the relationships between the mites and oilseed, grain legume and cereal crop plants have commenced. Halotydeus destructor were shown not to be attracted to lupins, wheat or oats, and their survival and fecundity were significantly lower on these than on other plant types. This suggests that such crops, particularly lupins, used in rotations prior to canola, could minimize the in-paddock infestations of mites. Preliminary screening tests for H. destructor resistance has also shown that some northern hemisphere varieties of Brassica napus are prone to significantly less cotyledon damage than local varieties. Notably, survival and fecundity of H. destructor on B. napus was low even on susceptible varieties, indicating that the species already has a level of partial resistance. On the one variety tested (Oscar), Penthaleus major caused only half the damage of H. destructor.
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