Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 5 days ago
The cabbage stem flea beetle is one of the main pests in oilseed rape cultivation. An infestation can lead to high yield losses and even the complete loss of areas. In its different life cycle phases, the cabbage stem flea beetle infects other plant parts: In winter and spring, the larvae focus on the stems and petioles. The adult beetles arrive in fall shortly after the emergence of the plants and usually damage them already in the cotyledon stage. With regard to infestation, the choice of variety is crucial. This is because trials have shown clear differences here. KWS varieties with InsectPROTECT genetics are less susceptible to the cabbage stem flea beetle. The susceptibility is to be further reduced through intensive breeding work. The aim is to develop resistant varieties whose genetics naturally protect them from infestation by the cabbage stem flea beetle. New breeding methods such as Genome Editing, which are used in basic research, play an important role.
You can find the whole story at the World of Farming:
kws.com/corp/en/media-press/world-of-farming-stories/battle-the-beetle
Discover more stories from the world of agriculture at:
kws.com/corp/en/media-press/world-of-farming-stories
#WorldofFarming #KWSWoF #oilseed
The cabbage stem flea beetle is one of the main pests in oilseed rape cultivation. An infestation can lead to high yield losses and even the complete loss of areas. In its different life cycle phases, the cabbage stem flea beetle infects other plant parts: In winter and spring, the larvae focus on the stems and petioles. The adult beetles arrive in fall shortly after the emergence of the plants and usually damage them already in the cotyledon stage. With regard to infestation, the choice of variety is crucial. This is because trials have shown clear differences here. KWS varieties with InsectPROTECT genetics are less susceptible to the cabbage stem flea beetle. The susceptibility is to be further reduced through intensive breeding work. The aim is to develop resistant varieties whose genetics naturally protect them from infestation by the cabbage stem flea beetle. New breeding methods such as Genome Editing, which are used in basic research, play an important role.
You can find the whole story at the World of Farming:
kws.com/corp/en/media-press/world-of-farming-stories/battle-the-beetle
Discover more stories from the world of agriculture at:
kws.com/corp/en/media-press/world-of-farming-stories
#WorldofFarming #KWSWoF #oilseed
