Population and attack intensity of Leaf Sucking pests during plantation initiation of three white potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties in medium latitude, East Lombok

Abstract

Potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) is increasingly important crop in Indonesia. Current potato plantation in Indonesia is mainly undertaken in high land areas. However, limited availability of suitable areas limits the production, and therefore extension of production to a lower latitude is needed. Successful plantation in medium latitude may include selection of suitable variety and management of major potato pests. The aim of this investigation was to find out the species of Leaves Sucking pest of three white potatoes ( Solanum tuberosum L.) and its population and attack intensity in medium latitude., East Lombok. The method used in this research is descriptive method with survey technique and data collection in the field. The results showed that five species of leaf sucking pests obtained during the plantation, i.e. Bemicia tabaci, Aphid spp., Thrips palmy, Planococcus sp., and Tetranycus spp. Bemicia tabaci, Aphid spp., Thrips palmy, and Planococcus sp were observed in all varieties while Tetranycus spp was obatined in Granola variety only. In addition, the highest population and attack intensity of sucking pest was found in McRusset variety at age 9 weeks after planting (wap), followed by Bliss and Granola variety. In all potato varieties, the dominance of leaf-sucking pests was Aphids spp. with abundance equal to 77.36%, 78.70%, and 83.81% for Blis, McRusset and Granola varieties, respectively.