Evaluation of Aphid Resistance Among Sugarcane Cultivars in Louisiana

Abstract

Abstract Sugarcane (Saccharum L.) in Louisiana is colonized by the sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner), and the yellow sugarcane aphid, Sipha flava (Forbes). Five commercial sugarcane cultivars, ‘LCP 85-384′, ‘HoCP 91-555′, ‘Ho 95-988′, ‘HoCP 96-540′, and ‘L 97-128′, representing >95% of Louisiana's sugarcane-growing area, were assessed under southern Louisiana field conditions for numbers of the two aphid species. Biweekly sampling during 2007 and 2008 growing seasons indicated cultivar and time effects on aphid frequency. Aphid population peaks occurred during June and July and then crashed. M. sacchari was more abundant than S. flava on almost all cultivars and on all sampling dates during both years of the study. HoCP 91-555 was found to be the most resistant compared with the susceptible Ho 95-988 and L 97-128 cultivars. HoCP 91-555 might be useful in areas of high aphid pressure, and as a source of resistance in cultivar development programs.