Susceptibility of Certain Egyptian Wheat Cultivars to Greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) (Homoptera: Aphididae) Infestation

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

The greenbug (Schizaphis graminum) (Homoptera: Aphididae) is a major aphid species attacking cereal crops and responsible for viral disease transmission of the plant. Host plant resistance is a strong pillar in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for reducing the damage of this pest. This study was carried out at Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt during 2019-2020 to study the susceptibility of five Egyptian wheat cultivars (Beni Suef 5, Gimmiza 11, Giza 168, Misr 1 and Sids 12) to greenbug infestation. The results indicated that in the host preference (free choose) experiment, Sids 12 cultivar was resistant (R) against aphid, while Giza 168 and Misr 1 were moderately resistant (MR) cultivars, on contrast Beni Suef 5 and Gimmiza 11 were susceptible (S) for aphid infestation. The nymphs fed on Beni Suef 5 cultivar had significantly shorter developmental time (7.6 days), highest survival (96.1%) and shorter adult longevity (9.7 days) with average offspring 45.8 aphids/ female, than other four wheat cultivars, while nymphs reared on Sids 12 had significantly longest developmental time (9.2 days), lowest survival (86.3%) and longest adult longevity (12.2 days) with average offspring 31.4 aphids/female. Feedingof S. graminum on tested wheat cultivars leaves significantly reduces the growth parameters (shoot length, wet and dry weights) and photosynthetic pigments content. Results from this study are important for plant breeding programs that have the objective of producing aphid resistant cultivars.

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