Antibiosis of strawberry genotypes to the spotted spider mite

Abstract

The spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Koch, 1836), is one of the most important pests of strawberry production systems worldwide. Because plant resistance is an important integrated management strategy, the present study investigated the effects of 12 strawberry genotypes on the biological characteristics of this pest under laboratory conditions (25 ± 2 °C and RH 60 ± 10%; 12:12-hour photophase). The experiment was carried using 12 treatments (genotypes), divided into 20 replications each, in a completely randomized design. The response variables were the biological parameters of the spider mite and its survival rate. The development and survival of T. urticae were influenced by different strawberry genotypes. The Camarosa cultivar together with genotypes Selection 05 and 2017-04-03 negatively affected the development and survival of T. urticae. The Selection 02 genotype had greatest susceptibility to the spider mite, which allowed fast development and high survival rate. The reproductive parameters of T. urticae were affected differently as a function of the strawberry genotype, with the Camarosa cultivar and the genotypes Selection 05 and 2017-04-03 being unfavorable to development, suggesting a possible resistance based on antibiosis.