Susceptibility of eight potato cultivars to Myzus persicae Sulzer in the greenhouse

Abstract

Eight potato cultivars namely Anett, Desiree, Feldeslohn, Kerr's Pink, Kenya Baraka, Roslin Eburu, Roslin Gucha and Roslin Tana were tested in the greenhouse to compare their susceptibility to Myzus persicae Sulzer. Differences in the susceptibility of the potato cultivars to aphids were reflected in the number of the apterae aphids that developed on them. Anett, Kerr's Pink and Feldeslohn supported the highest, and Roslin Tana the lowest population of M. persicae. Roslin Tana was found to be resistant. The bottom leaves of most potato cultivars maintained the highest aphid population while the upper leaves maintained the lowest. There were no significant correlations between leaf area and yield of potatoes with the number of apterae aphids on the eight potato cultivars.