Potential interactions betweeen varietal resistance and natural enemies in the control of cereal aphids.

Abstract

A review of recent literature shows that partial resistance in cereals occurs frequently and can be due to any combination of four components (tolerance, developmental precocity, antixenosis and antibiosis). Known mechanisms of resistance relate to the gross structure, surface structure, fine structure and phloem sap chemistry of plants. Potential interactions are suggested (and evidence presented, where available) between these mechanisms and the role of predators, parasites and pathogens in suppressing aphid populations in the field. The relevance of these findings to plant breeding, variety screening and the development of resistance-inducing chemicals is discussed.