Differential Interaction of Apple Cultivars and Spider Mites (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Abstract

In 1995, greenhouse and orchard experiments of 11 apple cultivars were conducted in Fayetteville and Clarksville, Ark. Weekly cumulative mite days (CMD) were regressed against leaf bronzing (colorimeter value L) and compared among cultivars. European red mites, Panonychus ulmi and two-spotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae, were found on leaves. `Liberty', `Royal Gala', and `Stark Spur Red Rome Beauty' had significantly more mites (>1940 CMD) than did `Arkansas Black' (1303), `Jonafree' (1150), and `Northern Spy' (973). A low CMD on `Northern Spy' caused leaves to bronze faster [y = 29.04 + 0.006(x); R2 = 52, P = 0.0002] than did a high CMD on `Liberty' [y = 30.41 + 0.0027(x); R2= 70, P = 0.0001]. Field estimates were made of spider mites/leaf and bronzing from 20 June to 7 Aug. `Stark Spur Red Rome Beauty' and `Stark Spur Law Rome' had significantly more CMD than did `Northern Spy' and `Arkansas Black'. Apple cultivars differed in carrying capacity to mites (susceptibility) and how fast leaves bronze in response to mite feeding. Cultivar differences in hairiness of the lower leaf surface were not correlated to CMD.