Aphid infestation on wheat varieties
209
APHIDS (SCHIZAPHIS GRAMINUM R.) INFESTATION ON
DIFFERENT WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) VARIETIES
AND THEIR COMPARATIVE YIELDS
Tanveer Ahmed* Muhammad Aslam**, Muhammad Waqar Hussan
and Javaid Iqbal*
ABSTRACT
A study was conducted during 2012-13 to assess aphids (Schizaphis graminum
R.) infestation and yield performance of five varieties (Faisalabad-08, Inqilab91, Lasani-08, Punjab 11, and Punjnad-01) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at
th
Islamia University, Bahwalpur. Aphids became visible on 24 February (55 DAS)
nd
nd
and enlarged regularly till 22 March 2013 (81 DAS). After 22 March their
number dwindled till first week of April (93 DAS). Seasonal mean number of
aphids was (34.55 aphids) on Faisalabad-08. Average aphid population on
Inqilab-91, Lasani-08 and Punjab-11 was 25.24, 24.68 and 23.41, respectively.
Statistically aphid population remained similar on Inqalab-91, Lasani-08 and
Punjab-11, but less than Faisalabad-08. Outcome verifies that aphids attacked
Faisalabad-08 seriously. Whereas, least number of aphids was observed on
Punjnad-01 (15.28). Average tillers were highest in Faisalabad-08 (279.67) and
lowest in Lasani-08 (212.33). Grains per spike were found maximum in Inqilab91 (60.2) and minimum in Punjab-11 (36.9). Thousand grains weight was
highest in Punjnad-01 (43.57 g) and lowest in Faisalabad-08 (32.70 g). Varieties
attacked by aphids exhibited poorer 1000 grain weight. Punjab-01, Inqalab-91,
Punjab-11 and Lasani-08 should be promoted in Bahawalpur as these showed
better performance.
KEYWORDS: Aphid; Schizaphis graminum;
cultivars; yields; Pakistan.
wheat;
Triticum
aestivum;
INTRODUCTION
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is healthy and efficient basic food. 20% of the
world's food calories and food demand of 40% of the world's people is met by
wheat (23). Wheat has been cultivated on 8.7 million hectares with
production of 24.2 million tons in Pakistan. It shares 10.1 percent to the value
added in agriculture as well as 2.2 percent towards GDP (6). Physiological,
production, political, socio-economic, and protection factors are accountable
for small yields in Pakistan. Among different biotic and abiotic factors aphids
*University College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Islmia University of
Bahawalpur, ** COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Vehari, Pakistan.
J. Agric. Res., 2015, 53(2)
210
T. Ahmed et al.
are a major factor to reduce wheat yield. Aphid (Aphididae: Homoptera) is
key sucking pest of diverse field crops, fruit and vegetables. They have
become regular pests of wheat in Pakistan (2). A study conducted on
biodiversity of aphididae family disclosed that Rhopalosiphum maidis,
Rhopalosiphum padi, Aphis nerii, Schizaphis graminum, Myzus persicae.
Brevicoryne brassicae and Sitobia avenae as major aphid species infesting
wheat in Faisalabad, Pakistan and Schizaphis graminum was the main
species among them (5). Shizaphis graminum (Rodani) is major species in
Pakistan (21) with an ample host array of at least 60 plant species including
wheat, barley, sorghum and corn (17, 10).
Aphids on cereal crops and powdery mildew disease play vital role in yield
reduction (20). Aphids respond differently to different genotypes and their
attack is virtually related to yield losses as well (4). Therefore research work
done on genotype screening against insect pests emphasize the importance
of using resistant cultivars in pest management practices
Keeping in view the importance of subject, present study was designed to
assess the comparative population density of aphids from sowing to
harvesting on five prominent wheat varieties grown under agro-ecological
conditions of Bahawalpur. Comparison of yield parameters like number of
tillers per square meter, number of grains per spike and thousand grains
weight were also recorded.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Experiment was conducted at farm area of Islamia University Bahawalpur,
Pakistan during 2012-13. Five popular varieties of wheat Faisalabad 08,
Inqilab 91, Lasani-08, Punjab 11, and Punjnad-01 were sown in the last week
of December 2012 by drill method. The plot size was 240 x 360 cm² for each
variety. Row-to-row distance was maintained at 30 cm while plot to plot
distance was 60vcm. Treatments were replicated three times in RCBD. The
recommended dose of NPK fertilizers in the form of urea (128 kg/ha), DAP
(114 kg/ha) and sulphate of potash (62 kg/ha) was applied to all treatments
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(1). Data were recorded from 24 February, 2013 (55 DAS) on three-day
interval to crop maturity (93 DAS). Aphid population was recorded from ten
randomly selected tillers per plot. The average number of aphids per tiller for
each variety was calculated. Yield data were recorded at crop maturity mean
number of tillers per square meter were counted. Number of grains per spike
and thousand grains weight were also calculated. The data were subjected to
analysis of variance and means were compared by LSD at P=0.05% using
the software Statistix 8.1.
J. Agric. Res., 2015, 53(2)
Aphid infestation on wheat varieties
211
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Aphids became visible in the end of February 55 days after sowing (DAS)
nd
and reached the climax on 22 of March (81 DAS) and in first week of April
(93 DAS) they almost disappeared on all wheat varieties. Aphid population
differed statistically per ten tillers on diverse varieties (Table 1). The highest
population was recorded on Faisalabad-08. Whereas, aphid population was
statistically uniform on Inqilab-91, Lasani-08 and Punjab-11. Punjnad-01 had
statistically lower population of aphids than other genotypes (Table 1) Fig. 1).
th
On 24 February, Faisalabad-08 had maximum aphid count. Inqilab-91,
Punjab-11, Lasani-08 and Punjnad-01 had less number of aphids in dropping
order. On 3rd March, Faislabad-08 had more aphids as compared to Punjab11, Lasani-08 and Inqilab-91 where, population was in rising order but
Punjnad-01 had least aphid population. All varieties had statistically similar
aphids counts on both of above mentioned dates.
Table 1.
Comparison of aphids (Schizaphis graminum R.) population on different
wheat varieties.
Varieties
Sampling Dates
24-02-2013
(DAS)
Lasani-08
Faisalabad-08
Inqilab-91
Punjab-11
Punjnad-01
Lasani-08
Faisalabad-08
Inqilab-91
Punjab-11
Punjnad-01
C. V
3.1
4.93 N.S
3.36
3.83
1.93
24-02-2013
(DAS)
5.4
7.43 N.S
5.63
5.3
4.83
24-02-2013
(DAS)
21.55
36.73 N.S
24.23
24.37
19.17
24-02-2013
(DAS)
24-02-2013
(DAS)
14.83b
21.16a
13.07bc
9.6cd
7.2d
28.6b
41 a
30.5ab
25.07b
21.967b
24-02-2013
(DAS)
24-02-2013
(DAS)
24-02-2013
(DAS)
24-02-2013
(DAS)
24-02-2013
(DAS)
44.83b
72.7a
37.06bc
26.43bc
20.3c
OL10L20
40.5b
53.36a
31.36b
38.73b
20.3 c
35.33bc
61.2a
46.13ab
47.13ab
19.76c
38.83a
37.06a
38.7a
34.8a
24.23b
2.7
N.S
2.8
1.4667
2.8667
1.000
24-02-2013
(DAS)
30.27
41.63 N.S
46.13
39.37
27.36
24-02-2013
(DAS)
24.18b
34.55a
25.24b
23.41b
15.28c
NS = non-significant, Different letters demonstrate statistical difference among means at
P= 0.05%, DAS = Days after sowing.
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On 10 March (69 DAS) more aphids attacking all varieties were observed
th
but without statistical difference among all varieties. On 13 March (72 DAS),
Faisalabad-08 had statistically maximum aphids among all other genotypes.
Lasani-08 and Inqilab-91 had statistically lower aphids than Faisalabad-08,
Punjab-11 and Punjnad-01 had statistically least population (Table 1). More
aphids on 16th March (75 DAS) were observed at Faisalabad-08 and
Inqilab-91, but these were statistically similar. Contrary to them, Lasani-08,
Punjab-11 and Punjnad-01 hosted fewer aphids which were statistically
th
uniform. Whereas, on 19 March, aphids were statistically uniform on all
varieties (Table 1).
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212
T. Ahmed et al.
On 22nd March (81 DAS), statistically higher aphids were on Faisalabad-08
than other varieties (Table I). Aphids on Lasani-08, Inqilab-91 and Punjab-11
were statistically lower than Faisalabad-08 but uniform among themselves.
Least number of aphids were found on Punjnad-01. Reduction in aphids
population was observed i.e. on 25th March (84 DAS) Faisalabad-08 exhibited
greater mass of aphids. Lasani-08, Punjab-11 and Inqilab-91 had statistically
smaller population as compared to Faisalabad-08. Punjnad-01 had
statistically lowest aphids population.
On 28th March (87 DAS), more aphids were counted on Faisalabad-08,
Punjab-11 and Inqilab-91 and found statistically higher than those on Lasani08 and Punjnad-01. On 31st March (90 DAS), Lasani-08, Inqilab-91,
Faisalabad-08 and Punjab-11 had aphids statistically similar among
themselves (Table 1). Punjnad-01 had statistically least number of aphids
attacking on it. There was an abrupt reduction in aphid population in April and
on 3rd April (93 DAS) lower but statistically uniform aphids were present
on all varieties.
At harvesting, yield was calculated and tillers were counted which was
highest (279.67) in Faisalabad-08 followed by Punjab-11 (239), Punjnad-01
(236.67), Inqilab-91 (225.67) and Lasani-08 (212.33) in descending order.
Number of tillers remained statistically similar among all five varieties
(Table 2).
Number of grains per spike was statistically greater in Inqilab-91(60.2) than in
Lasani-08 (53.5) and Punjnad-01 (50.27). Whereas, Faisalabad-08 and
Punjab-11 had 43.4 and 36.9 grains per spike which were statistically
dissimilar from each other and from other varieties (Table 2).
Table 2. Comparison of number of tillers, grains per spike and 1000 grains weight of
different wheat varieties.
Varieties
Mean
No.
of Mean
No.
of Mean wt of 1000
2
tillers/m
grains/spike
grains (g)
Faisalabad-08
279.67 N.S
43.40 c
32.70 c
Punjab-11
239.00
36.90 d
38.53 b
Punjnad-01
236.67
50.27 b
43.57 a
Inqilab-91
225.67
60.20 a
38.08 b
Lasani-08
212.33
53.50 b
38.17 b
NS = non-significant, Different letters demonstrate statistical difference among means at
P=0.05.
Varieties were statistically different in terms of thousand grain weight (Table
2). Highest weight (43.57 g) was in Punjnad-01. Whereas, Punjab-11,
Lasani-08 and Inqilab-91 had 38.53, 38.17 and 38.08 grams, respectively but
were statistically similar between each other and different from Punjnad-01
and Faisalabad-08 (32.70 g).
J. Agric. Res., 2015, 53(2)
Aphid infestation on wheat varieties
th
213
nd
From 10 March (69 DAS) to 22 March (81 DAS) number of aphids were
increasing till the end of March when their population became constant.
Aphids population decreased in the first week of April (93 DAS). We saw less
number of aphids in earlier stages of crop were seen because food quality or
quantity is affected by stage of plant growth (16, 3) which may affect insect
growth, development and fecundity due to change in food quality or quantity
th
related to plant developing phase (24). After 20 March (79 DAS) plants were
in earing stage when aphids grew rapidly. This was due to milky stage of
crop, which supports higher population of aphids. Our results are similar to
those of other scientists who observed a similar trend in aphid population
growth at this stage of wheat crop (13, 21, 8).
Environmental factors like temperature, relative humidity and rains have
definite relationship with aphid population dynamics. Data regarding
temperature and relative humidity in Bahawalpur showed that temperature
increased gradually from December, 2012 to May, 2013. Whereas, relative
humidity decreased during this period (Table 3).
Table 3.
Average monthly temperature and relative humidity during
cropping season 2012-13 at Bahawalpur.
Month
December,2012
January, 2013
February, 2013
March, 2013
April, 2013
May, 2013
Temperature (ºC)
15.5
13.2
16.6
22.5
27.9
33.4
Relative Humidity (%)
60
61
68
54
40
30
Source: Pakistan Meteorological Department, Islamabad
Results revealed that aphid population started to build up in February and
remained higher during February till the end of March, 2013. In April,
population declined suddenly. When the crop approaches maturity and
temperature is comparatively higher and humidity is less to facilitate grain
hardness and unavailability of the sap for sucking pests like aphids. Aphid
population increase or decrease is related to abiotic factors like temperature
and relative humidity, but showers do not have strong correlation with aphids
population (22). Maximum and minimum temperatures have been reported to
affect aphid population (4). Our results are also in agreement with previous
investigators who showed population trend of aphids on wheat more in
February and March while population declines in April due to maturity stage
of wheat (18, 13, 3, 8).
J. Agric. Res., 2015, 53(2)
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T. Ahmed et al.
Aphids remove sap from different plant parts and create sizeable fall in the
plant vitality (11) and the attacked leaves go yellowish, wilted and silky (7).
Aphids cause considerable losses in wheat due to feeding (15) and also by
serving as vector of plant viruses (9). Aphids’ population density or numbers
of aphids per tiller have been associated with grain or yield loss (14, 22).
In our study, yield elements had inverse relationship to aphid mass
essentially in case of Faisalabad-08 it being attacked more by aphids gave
less 1000 grain weight as compared with other varieties which were less
preferred by aphids and gave higher number of grains per tiller and 1000
grain weight (Fig. 1). Punjab-11 though had lower infestation of aphid yielded
higher thousand grains weight but had least number of grains per spike in
comparison with other varieties. Punjnad-01 proved to be the most promising
wheat variety under the current scenario because it had least aphids’
infestation throughout the season. It had the highest 1000 grains weight and
higher number of grains per spike (Fig 1).
Fig. 1
Effect of seasonal mean aphid population on 1000 grains weight of wheat varieties.
Researchers have found that pest populations can affect the final yield of a
crop drastically. In an earlier study (22, 25) it was described that varieties
Faisalabad-08 and Lasani-08 and two others showed smaller yield cutback
due to low attack by aphids. Genotypes V-05003 and Bars-09 showed higher
infestation level of aphids and generated significantly lower yield as
compared with the resistant genotypes.
J. Agric. Res., 2015, 53(2)
Aphid infestation on wheat varieties
215
CONCLUSION
Our study summarize that Faisalabad-08 was rather a susceptible genotype
under present scenario being most preferred by aphids with minimum 1000
grain weight. Punjnad-01, Inqilab-91, Lasani-08 and Punjab-11 performed
better as these showed less preference by the aphids and had higher 1000
grain weight. It is recommended that varieties like Punjnad-01, Inqilab-91,
Punjab-11 and Lasani-08 should be promoted in Bahawalpur to cope with
aphid infestation and for better yield.
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Received: November 30, 2013
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***
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