Relative susceptibility of advanced breeding lines against major insect pests of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

The food security of India primarily depends upon the rice-wheat cropping system. Wheat production is constantly threatened by different biotic and abiotic factors in Indo-Gangetic plains of India. Among the biotic stresses, foliar aphids Rhopalosiphum maidis Fitch., Rhopalosiphum padi L., Schizaphis graminum Rondani Sitobion avenae Takahashi, shoot fly, Atherigona naqvii (Steyskal) and Brown wheat mite, Petrobia latens (Muller) causes serious damage to wheat crop. Shoot fly infestation index of MACS 6774 and PBW 873 varied from 5.85 - 6.11 per cent in 2020-21and these lines were also moderately resistant reaction to foliar aphids. In 2021-22, VL 3030, HI 1628 (C), UAS 310 recorded lowest number of brown wheat mite (7.7 mites/10cm²) along with relatively low shoot fly infestation index (5.76-7.43%). HD 3386 and UAS 310 were moderately resistant to foliar aphids along with low shoot fly infestation (6.67-7.43%). These lines can be used as source of multiple insect-pest resistance in wheat breeding programme.