Species of eight genera of spittlebugs comprise the most important biotic constraint
affecting commercial Brachiaria grasses in Latin America. Host-plant
resistance to spittlebug (as found in cv. Marandú) may be the only sustainable method of
controlling an insect pest that is spread throughout, and attacks, millions of hectares of
grasses.
Current development of Brachiaria hybrids with resistance to spittlebug builds
on the initial discovery of antibiotic resistance to Aeneolamia varia in the
1980s, followed by the development of new, highly reliable, screening techniques in the
late 1990s. These techniques screen for host-plant resistance in large, segregating
populations under both greenhouse and field conditions. Substantial progress has already
been made in developing Brachiaria hybrids resistant to the following
spittlebugs: A. varia, A. reducta, Zulia carbonaria, Z.
pubescens, and Mahanarva trifissa.
Current work focuses on understanding the mechanisms of resistance to these species and
on developing hybrids that combine resistance to as many spittlebug species as possible
while retaining high quality and adaptability to acid-soil conditions.
Collaborators: EMPRAPA
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