Response of Tobacco genotypes against Aphids infestation in District Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

Experiment on genotype response and management of tobacco aphids through synthetic insecticides was carried out under field condition at Tobacco Research Centre, Khan Gari Mardan in spring 2023. In genotype screening trail, three tobacco genotypes, Speight G28, PVH2310, K399, were screened against aphids infestation and its association with different plant characters. Experiment was laid out in RCB (Design). Standard agronomic practices were followed throughout the experimental trail. Plants distance was kept 60cm and row to row distance were kept 90cm respectively. The size of each plot was 3x5.40m. Results revealed that tobacco genotype Speight G28 performed better as compared to other tested genotypes and exhibited comparably lesser aphid infestation (10.20 per plant), higher plant height (81.96 cm), number of leaves plant-1 (26.08), leaf area (68.60 cm2), grade index (2.82%), yield (1523.60 kg ha-1) as well as nicotine (3.60%) and total sugar contents (6.77%). It is concluded that performance of tobacco genotype Speight G28 is superior with respect to low aphid infestation. Therefore, tobacco genotype Speight G28 should be cultivated for getting higher yield.