Comprehensive Assessment of Aphid (Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) Resistance in Mustard Cultivars

The study focuses on mustard (Brassica spp.) crops, crucial rabi oilseed crops in India. This study aimed to assess the susceptibility of 45 mustard crop cultivars to Lipaphis erysimi Kaltenbach, commonly known as the mustard aphid, a significant biotic stressor affecting Indian mustard (Brassica juncea). The necessity of this study lies in the importance of identifying aphid-resistant cultivars to enhance pest management strategies and improve mustard crop yields. Field experiments were conducted at Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India during the rabi season, using a Randomized Block Design. The study utilized a mean aphid index-based scoring scheme to categorize the cultivars into different susceptibility levels, ranging from highly resistant to highly susceptible. The classification was determined based on normal distribution values, including highly resistant (HR), resistant (R), moderately resistant (MR), moderately susceptible (MS), susceptible (S), and highly susceptible (HS). The results revealed that none of the cultivars fell into the highly resistant category, but five cultivars demonstrated resistance, with mean aphid index values below 0.34. Thirty cultivars were classified as moderately resistant, displaying mean aphid index values between 0.34 and 0.66. Six cultivars exhibited moderate susceptibility (mean aphid index between 0.66 and 0.82), while four cultivars were categorized as susceptible (mean aphid index between 0.82 and 0.98). Notably, none of the cultivars were highly susceptible. The study underscores the importance of identifying aphid-resistant cultivars to enhance pest management strategies and improve mustard crop yields. The results provide valuable insights into the susceptibility levels of different cultivars, guiding farmers in selecting appropriate varieties for cultivation. The research also emphasizes the significance of environmentally friendly pest management options, considering the potential risks associated with pesticide use. Overall, this study contributes to the development of sustainable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques for Indian mustard cultivation.