Back to Contents

FREE FULL TEXT PDF

LACK OF PLANT RESISTANCE AGAINST APHIDS, AS INDICATED BY THEIR SEASONAL ABUNDANCE IN CANOLA, (BRASSICA NAPUS L.) IN SOUTHERN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

MARGHUB AMER, MUHAMMAD ASLAM, MUHAMMAD RAZAQ^* AND MUHAMMAD AFZAL¹

Abstract: The objective of the study was to develop insect pest management strategy by exploring host plant resistance in canola, Brassica napus L., and seasonal abundance of aphids at Multan, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan in Southern Punjab, Pakistan Two aphid species, Brevicoryne brassicae L., and Lipahis eyrsimi Kalt. were observed as the most devastating pests. Populations of B. brassicae were more than that of L. eyrsimi. All the varieties evaluated were found susceptible and weekly population of both the species of aphids did not differ significantly from their appearance till maturity of the crop. Appearance of aphids at all the locations was not uniform. However, highest population was recorded during last week of February to second week of March. The seasonal activity of the aphids is described and it is recommended that application of insecticides is inevitable to avoid economic damage. Development of insect pest management strategy against aphids by exploring sources of plant resistance and seasonal abundance of aphids on B. napus is reported from this region for the first time.

University College of Agriculture, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan-60800, Pakistan

¹University College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan.

^*Corresponding author E-mail: mrazaq_2000@yahoo.com; aslamuca@yahoo.com