Oviposition preference of Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) B biotype (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on soybean genotypes, in field conditions

Ten soybean genotypes: IAC 100, IAC 74-2832, IAC 90-2971, IAC 78-2318, PI 227687, PI 229358, PI 274454, BR-82 12547, MG/BRS-68 (Vencedora) and FT-5 (Formosa) were evaluated for resistance to Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) B biotype, in order to identify oviposition non preference by the insect. The experiment was held in the field, at the Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/UNESP, Jaboticabal-SP, from October 1999 to January 2000. The oviposition preference of the whitefly between unifoliolate and trifoliolate leaves and the preference in relation to the position of the leaflets in the trifoliolate leaves were also determined; also the minimum number of leaflets necessary to evaluate oviposition was established. Oviposition was lower on the genotypes BR-82 12547 and IAC 74-2832 throughout the sampling period (15, 30, 45, 65, and 85 days after the emergence). Higher oviposition rates were observed in IAC 90-2971, IAC 100, PI 227687 and PI 274454. The density of eggs deposited by B. tabaci B biotype on the surface of the trifoliolate leaves was similar to that obtained on the unifoliolate ones, 15 days after emergence of the plants (stage of development between V3 and V4), in 70% of the genotypes. Also, the oviposition of silverleaf whitefly on the medium and lateral leaflets was similar. Finally, the density of eggs laid on the three leaflets of the trifoliolate leaves were not significantly different from the density obtained on two or only one, suggesting that a single leaflet could be a representative sampling unit for oviposition studies of the B. tabaci B biotype in soybean.

Bemisia argentifolii; Glycine max; whitefly; host plant resistance