Screening of Various Genotypes of Castor for Resistance against Castor Leafhopper, Empoasca flavescens Fabricius

Abstract

A screening trial with 10 castor genotypes to assess their relative reaction to leafhoppers (Empoasca flavescens) was conducted at CCSHAU, Regional Research Station, Bawal during the Kharif season, 2019-20. Among the 10 genotypes, leafhopper population varied from 2.3 to 8.3. Based on leafhopper population and hopper burn score, the triple bloom genotypes Maharaja-9 and GCH-7 were found tolerant to leafhopper whereas the single bloom genotype DCH-177 was highly susceptible. The phenols content in the castor leaves had a significant negative correlation with leafhopper population and hopper burn score while total carbohydrates present in the leaves had a significant positive correlation with leafhopper population and hopper burn score. The intensity of bloom and phenols and carbohydrates content were found to play a major role in the infestation of castor leafhopper.