Evaluation of tomato genotypes for resistance to whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius) and tomato leaf curl virus in eastern India

• Published in: Journal of Asia-Pacific entomology 2021, 24(2), , pp.68-76
• Main Authors: Pal, Soumita, Karmakar, Prasun, Chattopadhyay, Arup, Ghosh, Sunil Kumar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Correlation; Morpho-chemical characters; Solanum lycopersicum; 농학
• ISSN: 1226-8615; 1876-7990
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aspen.2021.04.001

[Display omitted] •Tomato production in the tropics is threatened by whitefly, Bemisia tabaci andtomato leaf curl virus.•19 tomato genotypes were screened for whitefly population per leaf and tomato leaf curl disease severity.•Tomato genotypes 2016/Res-1, 2015/Res-5, 2014/Res-1 and 2014/Res-4 were categorized as resistant.•Leaf trichome density and total phenol content were reliable morphological and biochemical markers. Tomato production in the tropics is threatened by whitefly infestation andtomato leaf curl virus(ToLCV) causing severe economic losses. No stable resistance to these biotic challengeshas been identified in eastern India. Therefore, initial screening of 19 advance breeding lines of tomato was carried out during the year 2016–17. Based on the whitefly population per leaf and tomato leaf curl disease severity, eight tomato genotypes were selected for final screening during the year 2017–18. Morphological leaf traits and biochemical parameters in tomato leaf were assessed in selected genotypes and considered as potential mediators of resistance. Significant variation was observed for whitefly infestation and ToLCV disease severity among the tomato genotypes tested. Higher leaf trichome density with narrow and thinner leaves and higher total phenol content in leaf emerged as reliable morphological and biochemical markers for early selection of tomato genotype resistant to whitefly and ToLCV disease. The resistance of tomato genotypes 2016/Res-1, 2015/Res-5, 2014/Res-1 and 2014/Res-4 to both whitefly and ToLCV disease is based on antixenotic properties and they could be utilized in future breeding to enhance stable resistance against these biotic challenges.