Pest Management Science (2020) 76, 797-806

Marie-Odile Jordan, Marie-Hélène Sauge and Gilles Vercambre (2020)
Chemical and growth traits of the peach tree may induce higher infestation rates of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer)
Pest Management Science 76 (2), 797-806
Abstract:
BACKGROUND
The green peach aphids, Myzus persicae, are a predominant pest in peach orchards as they can alter fruiting and shoot development for several years. This aphid developed resistance against pesticides. Among the alternative control strategies is the reduction of the trees' attractiveness to aphids. In order to identify the plant variables related to plant susceptibility, young peach trees were submitted to various supplies of water and nitrogen, and then artificially infested with aphids. Shoot development, plant water potential and aphid abundance were then monitored on a weekly basis. The apex concentrations in total N, amino acids, soluble sugars and polyphenols were determined at infestation start and infestation peak.
RESULTS
Until infestation peak, the thermal time requests for aphid development were independent of infestation severity. The aphid populations then collapsed more rapidly on the low infested shoots than on the high infested ones. Aphid abundances appeared to be positively related to shoot development (leaf expansion and secondary ramification), to shoot growth (stem length and diameter) and to apex concentrations in amino acids and non-structural carbohydrates (NSC). Polyphenols had the opposite effect.
CONCLUSION
Peach susceptibility to aphids depends on shoot development and apex composition, and could be lowered by decreasing the water and nitrogen inputs.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Marie-Hélène Sauge, Marie-Odile Jordan

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Myzus persicae	Peach/nectarine (Prunus persica)