Vol. 109 (1996): Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society
Citrus

FEEDING RESPONSE OF FIRST INSTAR LARVAE OF DIAPREPES ABBREVIATUS TO DIFFERENT NOVEL INTERGENERIC CITRUS SOMATIC HYBRIDS

Published 1996-12-01

Keywords

  • citrus rootstocks,
  • citrus relatives,
  • citrus tissue culture,
  • protoplast fusion,
  • root weevil

Abstract

The larvae of the citrus root weevil, Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.) will inflict severe injury to young tree roots of all rootstocks grown commercially in Florida. In an attempt to find germplasm with resistance to larval feeding, the following intergeneric somatic citrus hybrids were screened in the greenhouse using first instar larvae as an inoculum source: 'Succari' sweet orange + Citropsis gilletiana, 'Succari' + Microcitrus papuana, 'Succari' + 'Meiwa' kumquat, 'Succari' + Atalantia ceylanica, 'Nova' tangelo + Citropsis gilletiana, and 'Nova' + Citrus ichangensis (an interspecific hybrid). Sour orange and Swingle citrumelo rootstocks served as standards. Cohen citrange (a triploid) and 'Limon Gigante' (provided by W. S. Castle) were also included in the study. Somatic hybrids, other test plants and controls planted in plastic containers in Fafard Citrus B soil mix were exposed to larvae for 45-70 days in two completely randomized experiments. Larval weight and survival, root biomass consumption, and gross root injury ratings were per- formed on all treatments. Results of these studies are discussed.