Screening of 19 genotypes of Eucalyptus spp. against gall wasp (Leptocybe invasa) in North-western India

Abstract

The present study was carried out at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India. Nineteen clones of Eucalyptus spp. were evaluated for tolerance to gall wasp. The total number of galls per plant were recorded at 1 month after planting (MAP) and the number of galls per branch were recorded at 4 and 7 MAP. Gall wasp incidence (number of galls) was recorded on a whole plant basis during the seedling stage and the number of galls were recorded from the upper, middle and lower crown places at 4 and 7 MAP. Categorization was done on the basis of relative gall-wasp damage by keeping in view the total number of galls per plant and branch (leaves and petiole). No clone was found free from gall damage. Clones C-526, P-23 and P-103 were the least attacked by the gall wasp. Incidence as indicated by number of galls caused by Leptocybe invasa on eucalypts was higher in March than in December.

Keywords

Eucalyptus / Clones / Gall wasp / Leptocybe invasa / Damage index

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