Genotypic differences in susceptibility to wireworm attack in potato: mechanisms and implications for plant breeding

The influence of different tuber compounds on susceptibility to wire-worms (Agriotes obscurus) was studied in experiments with 10–13 potato genotypes. Both greenhouse and field experiments showed that the susceptibility to wireworm attack was negatively correlated with the concentration of glycoalkaloids and positively correlated with the concentration of reducing sugars in the outer 2 mm of the tubers. Varietal differences in chlorogenic acid had no effect on susceptibility. Breeding for high levels of glycoalkaloids in the extreme periphery, but very low levels in the rest of the tuber, will protect the tubers from wireworms and yet result in acceptable glycoalkaloid levels for food safety.