Studies on the within-plant distribution of whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) in potato and development of a sequential sampling plan

Abstract

Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), is a major constraint for seed potato production in India. For its efficient management, the within-plant distribution of B. tabaci was explored, and a sequential sampling plan was developed for potato crops. The highest proportion of B. tabaci adults, nymphs, and eggs was found on leaf numbers 3–7, 6–9, and 2–6, respectively (with leaf numbers beginning at the apical meristem). The count of adults from three leaves (nodes 4, 5, and 6) from the top stratum in a plant is proposed as a sample unit. Green's and Kuno's methods were used to develop fixed precision sequential sampling plans which yielded a similar average required sample size, except at lower densities (≤1 whitefly per plant). This information will enable efficient monitoring of B. tabaci.

Keywords:

• Potato apical leaf curl disease
• resampling validation
• sampling plan
• spatial distribution
• sweet potato whitefly

Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Steven E. Naranjo, USDA – ARS, Arid-Land Agriculture Centre, Maricopa, Arizona, and Dr. Gerardo V. Serra, Catedra de Zoología Agrícola, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina for their help with statistical analysis of the data.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [MAS], upon reasonable request.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.