Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, J.N. Agricultural University, Campus: Gwalior-474 002, Madhya Pradesh (India).
Thirty mustard cultivars were evaluated under field conditions against Lipaphis erysimi Kalt. On the basis of mean aphid population and multiplication index, susceptibility index was computed. The susceptibility index revealed that cultivars RW 255676 B, RK 8501, RW 5453-B2, and RJ-4 were less susceptible against the mustard aphid, the range of susceptibility index being from 234.0 to 357.0. On the other hand, cultivars PR 8303, RH 851, PR 8309, RK 8502, and PR 8301 with susceptibility index varying from 1014.7 to 1703.5 proved to be highly susceptible. Cultivar RW 5453-B2 with low susceptibility index and higher grain yield (2066 kg/ha) seems to be suitable for general cultivation. The cultivars RW 255676-B and RK 8501 had the lowest susceptibility index with poor yield and can be utilized as donor for evolving resistant cultivars. Cultivars DIARA 343 and Varuna showed medium susceptibility index (575.6 and 940.2) hut gave comparatively higher yields, i.e., 2166 and 1866 kg/ha, respectively and proved tolerant to the mustard aphid.
