Effects of pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivars on Thrips tabaci Lindeman preference and performance

English. The polyphagous onion thrips Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a serious pest in many protected and field crops and has recently been found to occur in high numbers in Pisum sativum L. crops. In the present study, the abundance of T. tabaci was compared on two pea cultivars in the field. Data on sweep net catches at different sampling times during the day suggest that peak activity of the thrips is at noon. Significantly more thrips larvae and adults were caught on the early pea cultivar Cud Kelwedonu compared with the very early cultivar Pionier, particularly during and after flowering of the peas. Analysis of primary plant compounds indicated that the higher leaf nitrogen and sucrose contents in the leaves of cvar Cud Kelwedonu promote thrips population growth in pea. The preference of T. tabaci for leaves of cvar Cud Kelwedonu was confirmed in experiments in the laboratory. Thrips tended to settle, caused significantly more feeding damage and laid significantly more eggs on the leaves of Cud Kelwedonu. Knowledge on abundance, activity patterns and host use of T. tabaci in pea may contribute to optimizing cultivar selection, monitoring and timing of possible control measures in the future. Effects of pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivars on Thrips tabaci Lindeman preference and performance - ResearchGate. Available from: http://www.researchgate.net/publication/256859249_Effects_of_pea_(Pisum_sativum_L.)_cultivars_on_Thrips_tabaci_Lindeman_preference_and_performance [accessed Aug 10, 2015].

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