Evaluation of melon for resistance to Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during 2 yr to develop a rapid and reproducible method of screening melon, Cucumis melo L., germplasm for resistance to Bemisia argentifolii Bellows and Perring. Multiple tests were conducted on plant response and response by insect for 31 selected melon entries when exposed to B. argenrifolii in an open-choice greenhouse test for 2 wk. Frequency distributions of susceptible and resistant entries and their F1, F2, and backcross families indicated genetic variation for resistance. Whitefly immature density, plant condition, and change in whole plant biomass were good indicators of plant resistance. Data for root, stem, and leaf biomass, stem length, and plant moisture were inconsistent. Resistance plants had lower whitefly density, were in better condition, and sustained less reduction in size and biomass as compared with susceptible plants. This method allows the testing of germplasm and segregating populations throughout the year rather than in one portion of the year as has been done in the field.