1. No category

Bulletin UASVM Horticulture, 66(1)/2009
Print ISSN 1843-5254; Electronic ISSN 1843-5394
The Response of Different Genotypes of Calendula to Aphis fabae Attack
Adriana Daniela BACIU1), Adriana SESTRAS2),
Radu SESTRAS1), Monica BURUIANA1)
1)
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Manastur St., 400372,
Cluj-Napoca, Romania; ady.baciu@yahoo.com, rsestras@yahoo.co.uk
2)
Fruit Research Station, 3-5 Horticultorilor St., 400454, Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
asestras@yahoo.com
Abstract. Calendula (pot marigold) has an extremely wide range of use, due to its properties,
is well adapted to temperate climatic zones and easy to grow. The aphids can cause serious damages
and they also represent the main vectors of viruses. That is why one of the objectives of pot marigold
breeding is to create resistant cultivars. In present study, 45 genotypes of Calendula, including six
species (C. officinalis, C. alata, C. arvensis C. stellata, C. suffruticosa, C. tripterocarpa) and different
cultivars, were analyzed for their response to Aphis fabae attack, in natural conditions of infestation.
From among all genotypes, 26 (representing 57.8%) have not been attacked. Even if 11 genotypes
have provided statistical differences for the serious attack frequency and 15 for intensity of the attack,
only three of these have provided statistical differentiations for attack degree. The results demonstrate
that aphids are pests that occur in the culture of Calendula with significant frequency, intensity and
attack degree. In the same conditions, genotype really influences the attack, some variants being
registered without attack signs, while others were obviously preferred by pests. The large variability
recorded for Calendula genotypes allowed the identification of potential genitors for resistance to
aphids’ attack, respectively for marigold breeding and obtaining new valuable cultivars.
Keywords: genotype, Calendula officinalis, Aphis fabae, frequency, intensity, attack degree
INTRODUCTION
Calendula belongs to Asteraceae family, Calendula genus, which comprises
approximately 25 annual and perennial species, the most known being: Calendula officinalis,
C. arvensis, C. alata, C. stellata, C. suffruticosa etc.
Calendula officinalis L. specie (pot marigold) has an extremely wide range of use, due
to its properties, its well adapted to temperate climatic zones and easy to grow (Froment et al.,
2009). It is used for setting green spaces, for interiors, as well as cut flowers in various floral
arrangements (Selaru, 2007). Due to its rich content of active principles (acids, oils, pigments,
flavones), Calendula officinalis L. is used in human medicine, veterinary medicine and
nutrition (Racz et al., 1976; Dobrescu, 1981; Pintea et al., 2008).
The aim of Calendula breeding is to obtain genotypes with special decorative value,
antodia with large and abundant flowers, intensely coloured (yellow, orange or yelloworange) closed with habitus as compact, resistant to main diseases and pests (Gonceariuc,
2001; Baciu and Sestras, 2009).
Aphis fabae specie is part of the Homoptera order, Aphidida suborder, Aphididae
family. This family also includes Aphis pomii specie, Aphis gosyppii, Aphis grosullariae,
Myzus cerasi, Macrosiphum rosae, Brevicoryne brassicae etc. (Wearing and van Emden,
1967; Paun et al., 1986, 1988) species known as aphids or plant lice. Aphids harm both by
498
direct attack, and through the “honey dew”, secretion which is the main vector of viruses
(Dixon, 1998; Oltean et al., 2004).
In order to create new Calendula cultivars resistant to aphids attack, the identification
of potential genitors for breeding works is an important premise to obtain a profitable
artificial variability for selection by hybridization.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The response of Calendula to Aphis fabae attack was studied at Botanical Garden of
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Romania, being
analyzed 45 genotypes of Calendula belongs to six species, as follows: C. officinalis, C.
alata, C. arvensis C. stellata, C. suffruticosa, C. tripterocarpa (Tab. 1).
Evaluation of the attack was carried out under natural infestation conditions, without
using insecticide treatments to combat pests and diseases. For each studied genotype, was
determined the attack on the plants; the number of plants per analysed genotype varied
between 19 (variant 16) and 42 (variant 22).
Tab. 1
The genotypes of Calendula analyzed for response to Aphis fabae attack
Nr.
1
2
Specie
C. officinalis
C. officinalis
3
4
5
C. arvensis
C. stellata Cav.
C. officinalis
Genotype/Cultivar
122GE 2822-0002
123GE Hortus
Hudae
121GE2822-0001
124GE2822-04
C. officinalis L.
6
C. officinalis
C. officinalis L.
7
8
9
10
11
C. officinalis
C. arvensis
C. officinalis
C. arvensis
C. officinalis
12
C. officinalis
13
C. officinalis
C. officinalis
C. arvensis
C. officinalis
C. arvensis
cv. Prolifera Nr.
215
cv. Prolifera Nr.
214
Bon-Bon Orange
14
15
16
17
C. officinalis
C. officinalis
C. officinalis
C. officinalis
Bon Bon Mix’
C. officinalis
C. officinalis L.
C. officinalis L.
18
C. officinalis
C. officinalis L.
19
C. officinalis
cv. Pacific-Riesen
20
C. officinalis
cv. Radio
21
C. alata
cv. Rech.f.
22
C. arvensis
C. arvensis L.
Provenance/Origin
Denmark Botanic Garden, Universitat of Copenhagen
Denmark Botanic Garden, Universitat of Copenhagen
Denmark Botanic Garden, Universitat of Copenhagen
Denmark Botanic Garden, Universitat of Copenhagen
Germany (Berlin), Humblod-Universität zu Berlin, Institut
für Biologie
Germany (Berlin), Humblod-Universität zu Berlin, Institut
für Biologie
France Ville de Rouen, Jardin Botanique 76100 Rouen
France Ville de Rouen, Jardin Botanique 76100 Rouen
Slovenia Hortus Botanicus Ljubljana
Slovenia Hortus Botanicus Ljubljana
Germany (Deutschland) Botanscher Garten der Universität,
3703 Göttingen
Germany (Deutschland) Botanscher Garten der Universität,
3703 Göttingen
Latvia Seed Exchange, National Botanic Garten Salasplis,
LV-2169
Ukraine Hortus Botanicus Fominianus, Kiev
Ukraine Hortus Botanicus Fominianus, Kiev
Germany Botanischer Garten, Universität Ulm D-89069
France Botaniquest et Zoologiques, Arboretum National de
Chevreloup
Germany Universitat Bayreuth Ökolog-Botanischer Garten
D-95440
Germany Universitat Bayreuth Ökolog-Botanischer Garten
D-95440
Germany Universitat Bayreuth Ökolog-Botanischer Garten
D-95440
Germany Universitat Bayreuth Ökolog-Botanischer Garten
D-95440
Germany Universitat Bayreuth Ökolog-Botanischer Garten
D-95440
499
23
C. stellata
C. stellata Cav.
24
C. suffruticosa
25
C. tripterocarpa
26
27
C. officinalis
C. officinalis
C. suffruticosa
Vahl.
C. tripterocarpa
Rupr.
C. officinalis L.
C. officinalis L.
28
C. officinalis
C. officinalis L.
29
C. officinalis
C. officinalis L.
30
31
C. officinalis
C. officinalis
C. officinalis L.
C. officinalis
32
C. officinalis
C. officinalis
33
C. officinalis
C. officinalis
34
C. officinalis
cv. Prycosnovjenie
35
C. officinalis
cv. Pacific Beauty
36
C. officinalis
cv. Gaicha Gril
37
C. officinalis
cv. Fiesta Hitana
38
C. officinalis
39
C. officinalis
40
C. alata
cv. Zelenoye
Serdtse
cv. Rozovyi
Sjurpriz
C. alata
41
C. suffruticosa
C. suffruticosa
42
C. officinalis
C. officinalis
43
C. officinalis
cv. Pacific
44
C. officinalis
cv. Plamen
45
C. officinalis
C. officinalis
Germany Universitat Bayreuth Ökolog-Botanischer Garten
D-95440
Germany Universitat Bayreuth Ökolog-Botanischer Garten
D-95440
Germany Universitat Bayreuth Ökolog-Botanischer Garten
D-95440
France Jardin Botanique, 44094 Nantes cedex 1
Germany Botanischer Garten J.W. Goethe-Universität D60054
Germany Botanischer Garten, Martin-Luther-Universität D06108
Poland Lublin, Hortus Farmacognosticus Academiae
Medicinalis Ul. W. Chodźki 1 20-093
Germany (Chemnitz), Botanischer Garten, Grünflächenamt
Germany (Deutschland), Botanischer Garten der CristianAlberchts Universität Kiel, D-24098
Italy (Urbino) Instituto e Orto Botanico Universitat di
Urbino, 61029
Germany Botanischer Garten der Cristian-AlberchtsUniversität Kiel
Ukraine National Botanical Garden, Timirjazevska, 1, Kyiv,
01014
Ukraine National Botanical Garden, Timirjazevska, 1, Kyiv,
01014
Ukraine National Botanical Garden, Timirjazevska, 1, Kyiv,
01014
Ukraine National Botanical Garden, Timirjazevska, 1, Kyiv,
01014
Ukraine National Botanical Garden, Timirjazevska, 1, Kyiv,
01014
Ukraine National Botanical Garden, Timirjazevska, 1, Kyiv,
01014
Ukraine National Botanical Garden, Timirjazevska, 1, Kyiv,
01014
Ukraine National Botanical Garden, Timirjazevska, 1, Kyiv,
01014
Austria Botanischer Garten Landesregierung Klagenfurt A902
Czech Republic Masarykova Univerzita Brne, Lékařská
faculta 66243 Brno
Czech Republic Masarykova Univerzita Brne, Lékařská
faculta 66243 Brno
Azerbaijan Republic Central Botanical Garden, Badamdar,
AZ 1073
The attack produced by Aphis fabae was examined decadal, in the dynamic, in June
and July, in two years (2008 and 2009). The attack has affected only primary shoots, upper
third of them, to the base of inflorescences (antodias).
Pest attack was estimated using the following indicators: frequency of attack (F%),
intensity of attack (I%) and attack degree (AD%), as follows:
F% =
n
x100
N
n = no. attacked plant;
N = no. analyzed plants.
500
(ixf )
I% =
n
AD% =
F %xI %
100
i = the percentage of attacked plants;
f = no. attacked plants at the same rate of attack;
n = no. total of plants attacked;
Σ = sum.
F% = attack frequency;
I%= attack intensity
The date were processed using ANOVA (‘t’ test) as mean of experimental values, all
of the 45 genotypes of Calendula being compared with the mean of the experiment infestation
with Aphis fabae, considered as control.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
From 45 genotypes of Calendula studied in the experience, 26 were not attacked by
Aphis fabae (Tab. 2). They represent 57.8% from all studied species or cultivars.
Tab. 2
The genotypes of Calendula without attack of Aphis fabae
No variant
5
6
7
8
12
13
14
15
16
17
20
24
25
Number of variant and genotype without attack (26)
Genotype
No variant
Genotype
C. officinalis L.
27
C. officinalis L.
C. officinalis L.
29
C. officinalis L.
C. officinalis
31
C. officinalis
C. arvensis
32
C. officinalis
cv. Prolifera Nr. 214
33
C. officinalis
Bon-Bon Orange
34
cv. Prycosnovjenie
Bon Bon Mix’
35
cv. Pacific Beauty
C. officinalis
36
cv. Gaicha Gril
C. officinalis L.
37
cv. Fiesta Hitana
C. officinalis L.
38
cv. Zelenoye Serdtse
cv. Radio
39
cv. Rozovyi Sjurpriz
C. suffruticosa Vahl.
43
cv. Pacific
C. tripterocarpa Rupr.
45
C. officinalis
Some of these 26 genotypes, represented especially by cultivars presenting valuable
ornamental traits (Baciu and Sestras, 2009), could be used as genitors for obtaining new
decorative cultivars by hybridization.
Between attacked genotypes were registered obvious differences of frequency,
intensity and attack degree of Aphis fabae (Tab. 3).
The variants 2, 28, 30, 41, 42 and 44, presented the highest frequency values of the
attack followed by 40 and 3. The highest frequency (F%=40.0) was registered at C. alata
specie, obtained by Ukraine National Botanical Garden, Kyiv, followed by C. officinalis
genotype 123GE Hortus Hudae from Denmark Botanic Garden, Copenhagen (F%= 26.6).
501
Tab. 3
Frequency (F%), Intensity (I%) and Attack Degree (AD%)
Frequency (F%)
(F%)
Significance
1
122GE 2822-0002
2.94
2
123GE Hortus Hudae
26.60
xxx
3
121GE2822-0001
17.10
xx
4
124GE2822-04
14.81
x
9
C. officinalis
7.89
10
C. arvensis
12.82
11
cv. Prolifera Nr. 215
14.70
x
18
C. officinalis L.
14.70
x
19
cv. Pacific-Riesen
10.81
21
cv. Rech.f.
7.50
22
C. arvensis L.
14.28
23
C. stellata Cav.
12.50
26
C. officinalis L.
10.34
28
C. officinalis L.
24.00
xxx
30
C. officinalis L.
22.58
xxx
40
C. alata
20.00
xx
41
C. suffruticosa
40.00
xxx
42
C. officinalis
25.00
xxx
44
cv. Plamen
25.00
xxx
*, **, *** Significant at P<0.05, 0.01 and 0.001.
Nr.
Variant / Genotype
Intensity (I%)
(I%)
Significance
30.00
xxx
21.25
xx
34.17
xxx
25.50
xxx
31.67
xxx
25.00
xxx
21.00
xx
25.00
xxx
13.75
30.00
xxx
26.67
xxx
20.00
xx
18.33
x
17.50
x
15.00
15.00
20.00
xx
15.00
16.67
(x)
Attack Degree (AD%)
(AD%) Significance
0.88
5.65
x
5.84
x(x)
3.78
2.43
3.20
3.08
3.67
1.49
2.25
3.81
2.50
1.89
4.20
3.39
3.39
8.00
xxx
3.75
4.17
-
The variants 1, 3, 4, 9, 10, 18, 21 and 22 were the most sensitive genotypes as
intensity of attack, all of them presenting very significant differences compared to the mean
of experiment, as control. 11 genotypes presented statistical differences for the attack
frequency and 15 for the intensity of the attack, but only three of them have provided
statistical differentiations for attack degree (C. suffruticosa - from Ukraine National Botanical
Garden, Kyiv; C. arvensis - 121GE2822-0001 from Denmark Botanic Garden, Copenhagen;
C. officinalis - 123GE Hortus Hudae, from Denmark Botanic Garden, Copenhagen).
The results demonstrate that aphids are pests which occur in the culture of Calendula
with a significant frequency, intensity and attack degree. Genotype really influences the
attack, some variants being not attacked at all, while others were obviously preferred by pests
(Tab. 3).
Tab. 3
Number and percentage of genotypes included in classes of attack, according to
Frequency, Intensity and Attack Degree
Attack estimation (F%, I%, GA%)
Without attack (Attack % = 0)
Very slow attack (Attack % = 0.1-1)
Slow attack (Attack % =1.1-5.0)
Middle attack (Attack % = 5.1-15)
Strong attack (Attack % = 15.1-20)
Very strong attack (Attack %  20.1)
All genotypes
Frequency (F%)
No
%
26
57.8
1
2.2
10
22.2
2
4.5
6
13.3
45
100.0
Intensity (I%)
No
%
26
57.8
4
8.9
5
11.1
10
22.2
45
100.0
Attack Degree (AD%)
No
%
26
57.8
1
2.2
15
33.3
3
6.7
45
100.0
To create resistant cultivars to aphids attack is an important aim, because many of the
most damaging plant viruses are being transmitted to host plants by insects such as Aphis
502
fabae. However, of all the pests none is more problematic than aphids. Because twenty-five
percent of all plant species are infested with aphids, it is believed that the speciation of aphids
has followed plant speciation not all groups of plants being equally parasitized (Dixon, 1998).
From among 45 studied genotypes of Calendula distributed in six categories,
(excepting 57.8% which present no signs of attack) the highest proportion for attack
frequency (22.2%) was included in middle attack category, while for intensity of attack the
same percent was frame as very strong attack. Regarding attack degree, the highest proportion
was framed in slow attack category (33.3%).
It is interesting to remark that the different response to aphids attack was manifested
not only among the cultivars belonging to C. officinalis, but also among different species of
Calendula. They were identified different genotypes without attack signs, which could be
used as genitors for obtaining new cultivars by hybridization, because according to previous
data (Baciu and Sestras, 2009) they have valuable decorative traits: Bon-Bon Orange, C.
tripterocarpa Rupr., cv. Prolifera Nr. 214, cv. Gaicha Gril etc.
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