ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Phenotypic Diversity and Pest Management
of Potato Varieties Grown at Baffa Mansehra
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1
College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, China
2
Department of Botany, Hazara University Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
3
Agriculture Research Station, Baffa, Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
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Department of Zoology, Hazara University Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
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College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, China
Submission date: 2019-04-02
Final revision date: 2019-07-09
Acceptance date: 2019-08-06
Online publication date: 2020-02-17
Publication date: 2020-03-31
Corresponding author
Peng Zhao
Botany, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, 710069, Xi'an, China
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2020;29(3):2373-2381
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ABSTRACT
In the present study, six potato varieties (Evora, Hannat white, Lacetta, Mustang, SH-5, Anats) were
evaluated for phenotypic diversity and pest management based on various qualitative and quantitative
traits. Data on various morphological traits and insect/pest infestation frequencies were compile for
three plants of each variety. Statistical investigation of data showed significant variations in different
morphological characteristics such as plant height, leaf length, leaf width, tuber diameter, and tuber
yield, and insects/frequencies (aphids, leafhopper, thrips and whiteflies). Our results showed that
despite the maximum infestation frequency for aphids (20.80 insect/plot), leafhopper (24.22 insect/plot),
thrips (11.09 insect/plot) and whiteflies (15.73), significantly higher plant height (22.65 cm), leaf length
(6.20 cm), leaf width (4.66 cm), tuber diameter (3.43 cm), and tuber yield (12.80 kg), of Lacetta (v.no3)
revealed, indicating that this variety is highly resistant/tolerant to these insects/pests. While SH-5 was
second to it as regards insect infestation rate and yield, potato varieties Hannat white showed minimum
plant height (18.18 cm), leaf length (4.09 cm), leaf width (3.41 cm), tuber diameter (2.41 cm), and tuber
yield (7.55 kg), with lowest infestation frequencies for aphids (14.43 insects per plot), leafhopper
(17.72 insects/plot), thrips (7.22 insects/plot), and whiteflies (12.97 insects/plot), indicating that this
variety is more susceptible to various insects. Based on these results, the varieties Lacetta and SH-5
should be recommended for the cultivation of agro-climatic conditions of Mansehra in order to get
maximum yield and to protect the environment and human health from the adverse effects of insecticides
and pesticides.