Screening chilli genotypes for whitefly (<em>Bemisia tabaci </em>Genn.) resistance: A vector for chilli leaf curl virus

Abstract

Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) are one of the most important insect-pests of chilli worldwide mainly due to their role in transmission of Begomoviruses like Chilli Leaf Curl Virus (ChL CV). In this study, selected chilli genotypes (N = 125) including wild and cultivated species were evaluated against whitefly using free choice assays and parameters like number of whiteflies settled and nymphal population (both early and late stage) were considered to identify less preferred genotypes. The genotypes were also evaluated for plant traits namely trichome density, leaf colour and biochemical content (phenols and flavonoids). The results showed that the whitefly population and nymphal density were significantly different among the genotypes evaluated. Whitefly settlers and their nymphal density were positively correlated with the leaf non-glandular trichomes. The chilli genotypes viz., IHR 4283, IHR 4329, IHR 4300, IHR 4321, IHR 4338 recorded the less numbers of whiteflies as well as nymphs and grouped as the least preferred genotypes. On the contrary, the genotypes IHR 4586 A-1, IHR 4588 and IHR 4330 recorded the highest numbers of whiteflies. The role of plant traits in whitefly resistance in chilli was discussed in detail.