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Response of Two Growth Stages of Pepper to Different Population Densities of the Spiralling Whitefly, Aleurodicus Dispersus Russell

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Olufemi O. R. Pitan
Olufemi O. R. Pitan*
Affiliation:
National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan, Nigeria E-mail: femipitan@yahoo.com
*
Current address: Department of Crop Production and Crop Protection, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
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Abstract

The effect of artificial infestation of the spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus Russell at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 pairs on caged potted pepper (Capsicum spp.) plants at 2 weeks after planting (WAP), representing the nursery stage, and 6 WAP, representing the field stage, was studied in a screen house. Increasing insect density resulted in a corresponding increase in damage to the leaves, measured as leaf drop. Yield reduction was inversely proportional to the whitefly population, with highly significant correlation coefficients. For instance, yield reductions were 8.8 and 36.5% with 1 and 5 pairs of adult whitefly respectively at 2 WAP, and 7.5 and 32.1% with 1 and 5 pairs respectively at 6 WAP. The chlorophyll, sugar, ash, protein and crude fibre contents of the leaves decreased with increases in level of infestation, although infestation had no significant effect on the nutrient contents of the fruits. The significant impact of A dispersus on vegetative growth, yields and chemical contents of leaves confirm it as an economic pest of pepper in Nigeria.

Résumé

L'effet de l'infestation artificielle de plants de piment (Capsicum spp.) par la mouche blanche (Aleurodicus dispersus Russel) a été étudié en serre. L'expérimentation a été réalisée sur des plantes en pot, âgées de 2 et 6 semaines représentatives du stade pépinière et du stade de plein champ, placées dans des cages, et, infestées avec 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 ou 5 couples d'aleurodes. L'augmentation de la densité des insectes correspond à l'augmentation des dégâts sur feuilles qui est déterminée par les feuilles qui tombent. La baisse de rendement est inversement proportionnelle à la population de la mouche blanche, avec des coefficients de corrélation très significatifs. Ainsi, les baisses de rendement sont respectivement de 8,8 et 36,5% pour 1 et 5 paires de mouches blanches adultes après deux semaines de plantation, alors que la baisse de rendement est respectivement de 7,5 et 32,1% pour 1 et 5 paires de mouches blanches adultes après 6 semaines. La quantité de chlorophylle, de sucre, de cendre, de protéine et de fibre brute des feuilles diminuent avec l'augmentation du niveau d'infestation, même si l'infestation n'a pas eu d'effet significatif sur les nutriments des fruits. L'impact significatif d' A. dispersus sur la croissance végétative, les rendements et la composition chimique des feuilles confirme que l'aleurode est un ravageur important du piment au Nigeria.

Keywords

spiralling whiteflyAleurodicus dispersuspepperCapsicum spp.la mouche blanche en spiraleAleurodicus dispersuspimentCapsicum spp.
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 23 , Issue 2 , June 2003 , pp. 115 - 120
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 2003

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