EVALUATION OF VEGETABLE SOYBEAN GENOTYPES FOR RESISTANCE TO MEXICAN BEAN BEETLE (COLEOPTERA, COCCINELLIDAE)

One hundred vegetable-type soybean, Glycine max [L.] Merrill, accessio ns from maturity groups III through VIII plus 70 grain-type cultivars and plant introductions (PIs) resistant and susceptible to Mexican bea n beetle, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant, were evaluated in a randomized block design with three replications for resistance to Mexican bean b eetle foliar feeding in a 3-yr field study. Vegetable-type soybean cul tivars ranged from moderate susceptibility ('Camp'), similar to many g rain-type cultivars, to highly susceptible ('Sato', 'Hahto'). PIs with desirable vegetable-type traits and good to average resistance to Mex ican bean beetle (PIs 417061, 417288, and 417310 and FC 31732) were id entified, as was highly susceptible germplasm (PI 416771).