Field evaluation of citrus germplasm for resistance to the black aphid, Toxoptera aurantii (Boy.) Under tropical humid south Indian conditions

Abstract

Studies on relative susceptibility of 78 citrus varieties/hybrids to the incidence of black citrus aphid, T. aurantii under tropical humid conditions in south India revealed that none of the varieties was completely free from aphid incidence. The varieties Nagpur Mandarin and Ikeda Unshiu among mandarins; Longsport Valencia, Campbell Valencia and Washington Navel among sweet oranges; and Carrizo Citrange a hybrid and Dessert Orange, Eureka Lemon, Grape Fruit Pink and Jatti Khatti, among acid citrus group, recorded significantly least mean number of aphids per flush and can be effectively used in breeding programmes.