Abstract
Resistance of Brassica, especially B. juncea (L.) Czern, genotypes to the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.), was evaluated in growth room studies in Saskatoon, Canada, and in field studies at Angunakolapelessa, Sri Lanka. Growth room studies of DBM oviposition preference on 33 genotypes of Brassica showed that Cutlass, Rahangala Sp-2, MI Sp-3 and Kudaoya Sp-11 ( B. juncea), Echo [ B. rapa (L.)], S-67 [ B. carinata (Braun)], Vates [ B. oleracea (L.)] and Nilla [ B. napus (L.)] were the least preferred hosts. These genotypes were field-tested in two cropping seasons under insecticide-treated and untreated conditions. Counts of DBM eggs and larvae showed that Rahangala Sp-2 and Vates were most resistant to DBM, whereas Cutlass was moderately resistant. Further, these three genotypes were the least damaged by DBM larvae. Rahangala Sp-2 and Cutlass represent the first sources of resistance to DBM identified in B. juncea. It is suggested that Rahangala Sp-2, Vates and Cutlass may serve as sources of resistance to DBM and prove useful in genetic improvement programs for resistance to this major pest of brassicaceous crops.
Published Version
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