Characterisation of bird cherry‐oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.) behaviour and aphid host preference in relation to partially resistant and susceptible wheat landraces. (15th July 2020) - Singh, Beant
Abstract: The bird cherry‐oat aphid ( Rhopalosiphum padi L.) is a major pest of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) and can cause up to 30% yield losses. Heritable plant resistance to aphids is both an economically and ecologically sound method for managing aphids. Here we report how the behaviour and performance of R. padi differs on two resistant, one susceptible wheat landrace and a susceptible elite wheat variety. Feeding behaviour differed among the genotypes, with aphids on resistant lines spending longer in the pathway phase and less time phloem feeding. These behaviours suggest that both inter‐ and intracellular factors encountered during pathway and phloem feeding phases could be linked to the observed aphid resistance. Locomotion and antennal positioning choice tests also revealed a clear preference for susceptible lines. Although feeding studies revealed differences in the first probe indicating that the resistance factors might also be located in the peripheral layers of the plant tissue, scanning electron microscopy revealed no difference in trichrome length and density on the surface of leaves. Aphids are phloem feeders and limiting the nutrient uptake by the aphids may negatively affect their growth and development as shown here in lower weight and survival of nymphs on resistant genotypes and decreased reproductive potential, with lowest mean numbers of nymphs produced by aphids on W064 (54.8) compared to Solstice (71.9). The results indicate that resistant lines markedly alter the behaviour, reproduction and development potential of R. padi and possess both antixenosis and antibiosis type of resistance. Abstract : Aphid behaviour is dependent on the suitability of the host plant variety, where aphids on susceptible varieties settle more quickly and feed better than aphids on more resistant varieties which move about more and take longer to probe the plant. This results in reduced development and survival of aphids feeding on resistant lines as well as a reduction in nymph production.