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Population Variability in the Reaction of Alfalfa to Alfalfa Bud Mite¹

Variability in the reaction of alfalfa (Medicago sotiva L.) seedlings to infestation with alfalfa bud mite (Eriophyes medicaginis Keifer) was studied in the Australian cultivar ‘Hunter River.’ Plants were harvested 23 days after infestation and leaf symptoms classed as severe, moderate or mild. Severity was not related to the total mite population but rather to the distribution of the mites on the plant. The seedlings least affected by mite infestation were those that had the lowest number of axillary shoots and the highest rate of growth of the primary shoot. Selection for greater seedling vigour within this cultivar could increase tolerance to the mite. However, tolerance of seedlings to mite attack may not be related directly to tolerance in older plants.

Key Words: Eriophyes medicaginis Keifer • Medicago saliva L

² 1 Former postgraduate student (currently entomologist, Plant Research Institute. Burnley, Vie. 3121, Australia) and senior lecturer, School of Agriculture and Forestry, Univ. of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.

Received for publication February 13, 1980.