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Title: ANALYSES OF COTTON LEAF CHARACTERISTICS EFFECT ON BEMISIA TABACI (HOMOPTERA: ALEYRODIDAE) BIOTYPE B COLONIZATION ON COTTON IN ARIZONA AND CALIFORNIA

Author
item CHU, CHANG CHI
item NATWICK, ERIC - UCCE, HOLTVILLE
item CHEN, T - U OF A, TUCSON, AZ
item HENNEBERRY, THOMAS

Submitted to: Southwestern Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2003
Publication Date: 12/1/2003
Citation: CHU, C., NATWICK, E.T., CHEN, T.Y., HENNEBERRY, T.J. ANALYSES OF COTTON LEAF CHARACTERISTICS EFFECT ON BEMISIA TABACI (HOMOPTERA: ALEYRODIDAE) BIOTYPE B COLONIZATION ON COTTON IN ARIZONA AND CALIFORNIA. SOUTHWESTERN ENTOMOLOGIST. 2003. Vol 28 No. 4 235-240.

Interpretive Summary: We analyzed the contribution of leaf shape to the silverleaf whitefly infestation on upland cottons. Results from six year-location studies from 1999 to 2002 in Arizona and California showed that the trichome density on underleaf surfaces was the primary factor influencing the varietal susceptibility to adult whiteflies. It contributed more than 50% of the variation of whitefly densities whereas leaf shape contributed about 10%. The hairy leaf Stoneville 474 had much more whitefly density compared with smooth-leaf varieties. Okra-leaf varieties had larger leaf perimeters and higher leaf-perimeter-leaf area ratios that resulted in fewer whiteflies. It appears that smaller leaves of normal, smooth leaf varieties may result in lower whitefly infestation.

Technical Abstract: Cotton leaf characteristics and Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype B population density relationships were studied on 17 varieties of upland cotton, Gossypium hirsutum (L.), in Arizona and California from 1999 to 2002. Our objectives were to determine the effects of trichome density, leaf area, leaf perimeter, leaf perimeter-leaf area ratio, and okra-leaf vs. normal-leaf varieties on populations of B. tabaci in the field. The results showed that the density of branched stellate trichomes on underleaf surfaces was the primary factor influencing the varietal susceptibility to adult B. tabaci. Increased numbers of eggs and nymphs were found on hairy leaf Stonville (ST) 474 plants compared with smooth-leaf varieties. Leaf perimeter size and leaf perimeter-leaf area ratio were negatively related to B. tabaci numbers. Okra-leaf varieties had larger leaf perimeters and higher leaf-perimeter-leaf area ratios and fewer adults per leaf and immatures (eggs and nymphs) per cm2 of leaf disk. Smaller leaves of normal, smooth leaf varieties may result in lower B. tabaci population densities.