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Title: LEAF MORPHOLOGY, SWEETPOTATO WHITEFLY COLONIZATION AND INFRARED IMAGERY OF INFESTED UPLAND COTTONS

Author
item Chu, Chang Chi
item Fitzgerald, Glenn
item NATWICK, ERIC - UC COOP HOLTVILLE
item CHEN, TIAN-YE - U OF AZ PHOENIX
item Henneberry, Thomas

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Meetings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/31/2004
Publication Date: 12/1/2004
Citation: Chu, C., Fitzgerald, G.J., Natwick, E.T., Chen, T., Henneberry, T.J. 2004. Leaf morphology, sweetpotato whitefly colonization and infrared imagery of infested upland cottons. American Society of Agronomy Meetings, CD-ROM (3300).

Interpretive Summary: Sweetpotato whitefly is an economic pest insect of crops. Objectives of the study were to examine the relationships between leaf morphology and near infrared image and whitefly infestation on cottons. We found that leaf hairiness, thickness, and shape are related to the numbers of the pest on leaves. Smooth leaf, thicker leaf, or okra shaped leaf all contributed to fewer whitefly numbers on the leaves. We also found that the red color of the near infrared image of a field grown cotton became darker when whitefly numbers increased. Results indicate that there is potential to use these characteristics for cotton breeding.

Technical Abstract: The development of resistant cotton Gosspium spp. has potential for reducing colonization of sweetpotato whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype B in the field. We have conducted studies in the last decade to explore relationships between sweetpotato whitefly population density and leaf morphology of upland cotton. Results showed that three leaf characteristics have consistently produced measurable differences in sweetpotato whitefly colonization: hairiness, thickness, and leaf shape including leaf area and leaf perimeter. Sweetpotato whitefly population sampling of large-scale field tests that are required in host plant resistance research is time consuming and expensive. We are currently investigating the potential of aerial infrared imagery as a sampling tool to study sweetpotato whitefly infestations and seasonal population development. Results from studies conducted in 2002 show progressive sweetpotato whitefly damage to cotton that is identifiable in infrared images taken during the season. In this presentation, we discuss the potential of using infrared technology for monitoring sweetpotato whitefly infestation in relation to cotton leaf characteristics in connection with plant breeding programs for developing resistant varieties of cotton.