1Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641003, Tamil Nadu, India
2Department of Horticulture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641003, Tamil Nadu, India
3Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641003, Tamil Nadu, India
*Email: jeyaranijawahar@gmail.com (corresponding author): ORCID ID 0000-0003-2590-4332
Online published on 4 April, 2025.
Screening 375 cassava genotypes at Tapioca and Castor Research Station, Salem, India against whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) revealed eight highly resistant genotypes namely, Me 743, Me 650, Me 637, Me 739, Me 148, Me 874, Me 25, and Me 707, maintaining fewer than 20 insects/ plant across crucial growth stages (3-6 months after planting). Trichome analysis revealed prevalent non-glandular, simple, single-celled elongated or irregular-shaped structures. Correlation studies between whitefly incidence and trichome density indicated a positive relationship (0.39) without statistical significance, emphasizing the role of trichomes in conferring resistance. India’s cassava genetic diversity holds significant promise in the creation of resistant variety.
Cassava, Manihot esculenta, Germplasm, Bemisia tabaci, Virus - vector, Cassava mosaic virus, Resistance, Field screening, Population count, Trichomes types, Scanning electron microscopy, Density, Correlation studies
