LINEAR FURANOCOUMARINS OF 3 CELERY BREEDING LINES - IMPLICATIONS FOR INTEGRATED PEST-MANAGEMENT

Bergapten and xanthotoxin were the major furanocoumarins isolated from the Fusarium-resistant celery breeding lines UC-08, UC-10, and UC-26 and the standard cultivar Tall Utah 52-70R. Petiole contents of bergapten and xanthotoxin in the new lines were similar to those in 52-70R. All petiole concentrations were below levels reported to cause either acute (18.0 mug/g fresh weight) or chronic dermatitis (7.0 mug/g). Leaf contents of furanocoumarins in the new lines also were statistically comparable to those in 52-70R but were high enough to cause chronic dermatitis, thus justifying use of safety measures by workers handling leaves. The new genotypes were equally (UC-26) or less susceptible (UC-08, UC-10) to beet army worm feeding than 52-70R. No correlation existed between insect resistance and furanocoumarins. Because the new celery genotypes have resistance to the major celery disease, they have considerable potential as components of an integrated celery pest management program.