Relative natural resistance of Populus deltoides clones against defoliator Clostera cupreata (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) in northern India

Abstract

Populus deltoides (poplar) that is extensively being planted commercially in agroforestry combinations in northern India is prone to attack by a defoliating insect, Clostera cupreata. In order to evaluate the relative susceptibility/resistance of different clones and to identify the resistant ones, 80 clones of American origin were evaluated in Dehra Dun, India. The feeding potential of the pest on different clones varied significantly. The clones were grouped into six categories depending on their susceptibility as most resistant or R1 (12 clones), moderately resistant or R2 (14 clones), marginally resistant or R3 (10 clones), marginally susceptible or S1 (17 clones), moderately susceptible or S2 (18 clones) and most susceptible or S3 (nine clones). Clone ‘110120’ of Tennessee was most resistant where as Oklahoma clone ‘104’ was most susceptible to this pest. Amongst the most resistant clones (R1), only three clones, WSL-4, WSL-12 and WSL-18 (source: WIMCO Seedlings Ltd, India) were found to be superior, in terms of growth increment, as compared to the standard and most widely planted clones in northern India i.e. G-3 and G-48, and are promising clones for plantation in defoliator prone areas.