Reaction of Local Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) Genotypes to Infestation by Tea Mosquito Bug, Helopeltis antonii Signoret (Hemiptera: Miridae)

Author: Smitha M.S., Gavas Ragesh, Asna, A.C. and Jalaja S. Menon

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Abstract

Tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis antonii Signoret is an economically important pest of cashew, Anacardium occidentale L. in India and is a major constraint in cashew cultivation worldwide. The studies undertaken to manage this pest for the past 5-6 decades documented pesticide spray as the most successful and reliable solution. However, with increased use of pesticides, pest incidence also aggravated and the budget towards pest control increased drastically. Exploring host plant resistance will open up new avenues to manage this big menace and continuous research efforts are being carried out in this line at various centres across India. Fourteen promising accessions collected from major cashew-growing tracts of Kerala that were planted as grafts during 2003-04 in germplasm conservation block of Cashew Research Station, Madakkathara, Kerala, India were screened under field conditions to evaluate their response to tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis antonii. Scoring procedure on 0-4 scale, based on the number of necrotic lesions formed by tea mosquito bug while feeding, was followed to assess the susceptibility status. Screening was done consecutively for eight years initiating from 2009-10 when the grafts attained the age of six, and continued till 2016-17. Accessions were classified based on old method of classification as well as matrix method, giving weightage to damage on panicle. The study shows less susceptible nature of seven genotypes, viz., Kottarakkara-1, Kainur, Pattannur, Kunjithai, Kottarakkara-2, Aralam-2 and Odakkali with respect to infestation by tea mosquito bug.

Keywords

Cashew genotypes, susceptibility status, tea mosquito bug, host plant resistance, breeding for resistance to biotic stress, Helopeltis antonii

Conclusion

Variable reaction is exhibited among cashew germplasm accessions towards the infestation by tea mosquito bug. The less susceptible types can be utilized as source of resistance or tolerance for developing crop cultivars, which readily produce the inducible response upon mild infestation, and can serve as one of the components of integrated pest management for sustainable crop production.

References

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How to cite this article

Smitha M.S., Gavas Ragesh, Asna, A.C. and Jalaja S. Menon (2023). Reaction of Local Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) Genotypes to Infestation by Tea Mosquito Bug, Helopeltis antonii Signoret (Hemiptera: Miridae). Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(8a): 549-554.