Aphid infestation on eight potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Kenya

Abstract

Eight potato cultivars, viz, Anett, Desiree, Feldeslohn, Kerr's Pink, Kenya Baraka, Roslin Eburu, Roslin Gucha and Roslin Tana were tested in the field to compare their susceptibility to aphids. Despite the variation in results, Anett, Kerr's Pink and Desiree were identified as the most susceptible cultivars. The experiments revealed that Roslin Tana was a comparatively resistant cultivar useful for reference in further work.

There were no significant correlations between leaf area, glandular hairs and alate aphids with the number of apterae aphids on the eight potato cultivars. Resistance of Roslin Tana to aphids was, therefore, not due to the morphological characteristics of the cultivar, but probably to some physiological factor(s).