Switchgrass (cv. Summer and Kanlow) Transcriptional Response to aphid (Yellow Sugarcane Aphid, Sipha flava, Forbes)

Yellow sugarcane aphid (YSA) (Sipha flava, Forbes) is a damaging pest on many grasses. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a perennial C4 grass, has been selected as a bioenergy feedstock because of its resilience to abiotic and biotic stresses. Aphid infestation on switchgrass has the potential to reduce the yields and biomass quantity. This project will contribute to the understanding of the defense mechanisms of switchgrass.