Wj. Dekogel et al., RESISTANCE TO WESTERN FLOWER THRIPS IN GREENHOUSE CUCUMBER - EFFECT OF LEAF POSITION AND PLANT-AGE ON THRIPS REPRODUCTION, Euphytica, 94(1), 1997, pp. 63-67
Three greenhouse cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) accessions, previously
selected for low levels of damage after infestation with Frankliniella
occidentalis (Pergande), were tested for resistance against F. occide
ntalis in a no-choice greenhouse experiment at the mature plant stage.
The three accessions showed a strong reduction in thrips damage compa
red to the susceptible control. The effects of leaf position and plant
age of the four cucumber accessions on the reproduction of F. occiden
talis were determined in a leaf disc assay. Leaf position had a signif
icant effect on thrips reproduction, whereas plant age, within the tes
t range, had not. In general, reproduction was higher on young leaves.
Reproduction as measured on leaf discs from certain leaf positions wa
s strongly correlated with resistance of mature plants in the greenhou
se, and can therefore be used as a quick test to screen cucumber acces
sions for resistance against thrips.