ARS | Publication request: HOST PLANT RESISTANCE TO BEMISIA IN WATERMELON

Submitted to: Plant Protection Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 8, 2004
Publication Date: May 11, 2004
Citation: Simmons, A.M., Levi, A. 2004. Host plant resistance to Bemisia in watermelon. Proceedings 15th International Plant Protection Congress. p. 516.

Technical Abstract: Whiteflies are destructive pests to horticultural crops worldwide. The B-biotype of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), has been particularly problematic over the past several years. Watermelon (Citrullus sp.) is among the vegetable crops fed upon and damaged by this pest. Research was conducted to identify potential sources of Citrullus germplasm with Bemisia resistance. Bioassays based on preference and non-preference performance revealed differences among accessions across three species (C. lanatus var. lanatus, C. lanatus var citroides, and C. colocynthis). Sources of germplasm with resistance to Bemisia were identified which may be useful for the improvement of watermelon, and current work is being conducted to determine the mode of inheritance of whitefly resistance.