Differential Response of Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci Gen;) to Nicotiana Species

Abstract

Responses of 18 Nicotiana species to whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) were studied under glasshouse conditions. Fourteen species showed varying degrees of susceptibility, while four species were toxic to whiteflies. N. repanda and N. wigandioides harboured the minimum number of whiteflies among the susceptible and toxic groups, respectively. N. glauca and N. gossei were highly attractive to whiteflies among the susceptible and toxic groups, respectively. The study suggests the utilization of toxic species for the extraction of biochemical substances for whitefly control and their use as donors in breeding programmes for developing leaf curl-resistant cultivars. The use of N. gossei as a plant community benefactor is also suggested.