Susceptibility of certain Egyptian and imported wheat cultivars to infestation by Sitophilus oryzae and Rhyzopertha dominica

Stored wheat grains are vulnerable to attack by Sitophilus oryzae and Rhyzopertha dominica, which deteriorate the quality of the infested commodities, depletes nutrition value and makes them unfit for human consumption. The susceptibility of two Egyptian local (MISR1 and SIDS12) and four imported wheat (Hard Australian wheat, American Hard Red Winter, American Soft Red Winter and Romanian wheat) cultivars to infestation by S. oryzae and R. dominica was investigated. The Romanian cultivar was the most susceptible at infestation level of 20 adults/250g. For the other two infestation levels (10 and 15 adults/250g), the Romanian and American (SRW) varieties showed high susceptibility to S. oryzae by 5.13 and 5.52% and 4.32 and 4.76% for both varieties, in respect. On the other hand, the infestation with R. dominica showed the minimum weight loss in Romanian wheat and unexpectedly showed maximum number of emerged adults after three months storage. Maximum means of damaged grains were recorded in Romanian and American (HRW) cultivars caused by S. oryzae and R. dominica infestations, respectively. Moreover, chemical changes were recorded in nutritional composition of the grains when they were subjected to infestation with 20 unsexed adults/250g wheat by S. oryzae and R. dominica for three months storage.     

Wound-induced changes in DIMBOA (2, 4 dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2H-1, 4 benzoxazin-3(4H)-one) concentration in maize plants caused by Sesamia nonagrioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Two maize (Zea mays) inbred lines, A-619, (high DIMBOA content) and W-117 (low DIMBOA content) were artificially infested, at similar physiological stages, with 10 first-instar larvae of Sesamia nonagrioides. The DIMBOA concentration in stem and leaf tissues of damaged and undamaged plants was measured quantitatively in response to larval attack. After 60 h of infestation, both inbred lines were found to respond to insect attack by increasing significantly (P< 0·01) the DIMBOA content in leaf tissues compared with uninfested controls. Similar results were observed 5 days after infestation. No significant differences were found between the stem tissues of the two cultivars during this period. After 9 days infestation, significant increases (P <0·01) could still be found in the stem tissues of the two lines, these showing signs of wounding due to direct insect damage. Thereafter, until day 25 following infestation (the last day of measurement) no significant increased level of DIMBOA was recorded in stem and leaves of the infested lines in any sampling. The production of this compound appears to be a physiological response of the plant to attack induced by physical disruption of its tissues.     

Befall-Schaden-Relationen für das Wirt-Parasit-Paar Weizen-Septoria nodorum Berk.

Infestation-damage relationship for the host-parasite system wheat-Septoria nodorum Berk. It was the aim of these investigations to elucidate the relationship between infestation by Septoria nodorum Berk. and the damage caused thereby to the winter wheat varieties grown in the GDR. In 1983 and 1984 the varieties Alcedo and Taras were tested, and for the identification of typical varietal reactions, another 4 cultivars (Arkos, Compal, Mironovskaya 808 und Ilyitshovka) were included, in 1984. Artificial inoculation was carried out when the ears were emerging, using spore suspensions of varying density to achieve various degrees of infestation. For each variety, ear and flag leaf infestations were recorded on 800 culms and these were thengrouped into the categories I, II and III according to the number of points they had received (9 = without any infestation, 7 and 5 = number of points decreasing as infestation increased). Altogether 5–6 assessments were made, with the points given at the growth stage “beginning of the milky ripeness” being used as the basis for the calculation of the infestation-damage relationship. The most important criterion for each group was the mean single ear weight, the 1000-grain weight and the number of grains per ear, were also taken into consideration. Comparing ear infestation with yield it can be stated that the variety Compal and the early ripening Soviet varieties Mironovskaya 808 and Ilyitshovka showed relatively low losses. The variety Taras ranked in the middle. Alcedo and Arkos suffered the highest yield losses. Depending on the variety, an infestation level rated with 7 points at the beginning of milky ripeness implied yield losses of 5–13 %, whereas a 5 rating point would represent losses of 13–23 %. The results obtained make it clear that the wheat cultivars tested were not damaged by S. nodorum to the same degree, indicating differing varietal susceptibility, which does not allow a generalization with respect to the infestation-damage relationship for the host-parasite pair wheat-S. nodorum.     

Nutritional evaluation of wheat and barley cultivars by growth rate and body composition of larvae of Tenebrio molitor.

Larvae of the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor L., Gembloux strain, race F, were reared on diets of 17 cultivars of wheat and 29 cultivars of barley, prepared for determination of digestible energy with mice, for 4 weeks at 27 +/- 0.25 degrees C and 65 +/- 5% relative humidity. Values for percentage crude protein of tissues of larvae fed wheat cultivars were significantly and positively correlated with values for digestible energy as determined with mice. These values were not correlated for larvae fed barley cultivars; however, values for per cent dry matter content of larvae were significantly and positively correlated with values for digestible energy determined with mice. This apparent discrepancy is explained on the basis of the chemical constitution of barley and the availability of amino acids of barley to the larvae. Use of larvae of Tenebrio molitor to indicate the digestible energy of cereal grains is feasible, provided that the proper parameter is chosen. Nevertheless, use of this biological method seems more suitable for evaluation of protein quality and of amino acid availability than for a measure of digestible energy of feeds.     

Study of an infestation by Laemophloeus sp. (Coleoptera Cucujidae) in bulk wheat

Physical and biological data are presented from an infestation by Laemophloeus sp. (unidentified but very near to L. minutus Oliv.) in bulk wheat contained in open-topped silo bins. Much of the life history of this species is spent within the grains of wheat under the conditions of this infestation. It follows that the density of population of this species in whole wheat can be estimatedonly by breeding out or by determining the carbon dioxide output of the grain. Some larvae are free-living for part of their lives. No regular relation has been found between the number of larvae free-living at any time and the number of insects remaining within the grains. The proportion of the total population which is free-living is least when the total population is greatest. There is some evidence that the grain contained a light infestation of Laemophloeus , fairly evenly distributed, before it was loaded into the silo bin. It is supposed that this was the source of the infestation studied. Factors which might be responsible for the uneven development of the population are discussed.     

Relationship between Feeding Damage by Beet armyworm,Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Leaf Trichome Density of Potato

The responses (infestation level and feeding preference) of 50 potato cultivars, including seven Korean recommended cultivars to Spodoptera exigua larvae were examined in the field and the laboratory. Based on the number of potato leaves damaged by S. exigua larvae in the field, seven cultivars (Anco, Denali, Bintje, Jidose, Sandra, Shimabara, and Spunta) were found tolerant to the insect attack, whereas Nicola and Dejima cultivars were highly susceptible. In feeding preference tests using leaflets of 10 selected cultivars (Anco, Denali, Bintje, and seven recommended cultivars), no significant differences were seen among the cultivars, indicating no involvement of chemical resistance. In trichome density per mm² leaf area, underside leaf surface contained higher trichome densities than the upper side, and the number of long trichome were distributed four times more than short trichome on average. Total leaf trichome density was the highest on cv. Dejima of 32.1, followed by cvs. Bintje and Denali, but the lowest on cv. Jopung of 6.9. From correlation analysis, infestation level in the field by S. exigua was correlated with the density of shorter trichome on upper side of leaf surface (r = 0.737^* in 1996 and 0.772^** in 1997). However, it was not correlated with the density of the longer trichome on underside.     

Performance of cabbage stem flea beetle larvae (Psylliodes chrysocephala) in brassicaceous plants and the effect of glucosinolate profiles

The cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB), Psylliodes chrysocephala L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is one of the most important pests in European winter oilseed rape production. Adult beetles feed on young leaves whereas larvae mine within the petioles and stems. Larval infestation can cause significant crop damage. In this study, the host quality for CSFB of four oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) cultivars and seven other brassicaceous species with different glucosinolate (GSL) profiles was assessed under controlled conditions. Larval instar weights and mortality were measured after 14 and 21 days of feeding in the petioles of test plants. To study the impact of GSL on the performance of larvae, the GSL contents in petioles from non-infested and infested plants were analysed before, and 21 days after, the start of larval infestation. Larval performance was not significantly different between the four cultivars of oilseed rape, but differed considerably among the other brassicaceous species tested. In comparison to the weight of larvae in the standard B. napus cv. Robust, the larval weight was higher in turnip rape (Brassica rapa L. var. silvestris) and significantly reduced in white mustard (Sinapis alba L.), oil radish (Raphanus sativa L. var. oleiformis), and cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. convar. capitata var. alba). The duration of larval development increased in white mustard and oilseed radish. The GSL profiles of the petioles showed little difference between non-infested and infested plants of oilseed rape whereas the content of aliphatic GSL increased in the infested turnip rape plants. In contrast, the aliphatic and benzenic GSL decreased in infested Indian rape (B. rapa subsp. dichotoma Roxb.). Larval weight was not correlated with the total GSL content of plants, neither before infestation nor 21 days after. Larval weight was positively correlated with progoitrin and 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin. White mustard, which provides inferior host quality for larval development, has the potential to introduce insect resistance into high-yielding oilseed rape cultivars in breeding programmes.     

Resistance of cabbage (Brassica oleracea capitata group) crops to Mamestra brassicae

Twenty-one cabbage (Brassica oleracea capitata group) varieties, including 16 local varieties and five commercial hybrids, were screened for resistance to the moth Mamestra brassicae L. under natural and artificial conditions in northwestern Spain. Resistance was assessed as the proportion of damaged plants and damaged leaves, leaf feeding injury, and number of larvae present. Correlation coefficients among damage traits showed that a visual scale (general appearance rating) should be a useful indicator of resistance. Most local varieties were highly susceptible to M. brassicae, whereas the commercial hybrids tested were resistant in terms of head foliage consumption and number of larvae per plant. Performance of varieties was similar under natural and artificial infestation although some of them performed differently at each year. Three local varieties (MBG-BRS0057, MBG-BRS0074, and MBG-BRS0452) were highly susceptible at both natural and artificial infestation conditions being MBG-BRS0074 the most damaged variety. Two local varieties (MBG-BRS0402 and MBG-BRS0535) and commercial hybrids were identified as resistant or moderately resistant to M. brassicae. Among them, 'Corazón de Buey' and 'Cabeza negra' were the most resistant and produced compact heads. These varieties could be useful sources of resistance to obtain resistant varieties to M. brassicae or as donors of resistance to other Brassica crops. The possible role of leaf traits, head compactness, and leaf glucosinolate content in relation to M. brassicae resistance is discussed.     

Influence of the Russian wheat aphid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Diuraphis noxia</Emphasis> (Kurdjumov) (Homoptera,Aphididae) on productive qualities of spring bread wheat and barley grown from the seeds from aphid-infested spikes

The aftereffects of the Russian wheat aphid (RWA) Diuraphis noxia on sowing and productive qualities of barley and spring bread wheat grain were assessed. Seeds of 4 cultivars of barley (Volgar, Povolzhsky 65, Kazak, and Povolzhsky 16) and 4 cultivars of spring wheat (Kinelskaya 59, Kinelskaya Otrada, Kinelskaya Niva, and Kinelskaya 2010) from spikes infested and uninfested with RWA in 2007 and in 2014 were sown in the subsequent years, using 0.5 m² experimental plots in four replications, at a seeding rate of 300 grains/m². The least significant difference (LSD_0.5) was used to compare the mean ± standard deviation (SD) values. The field germination rate of seeds from spring wheat spikes damaged by RWA was reduced by 15%. Of the components of grain yield, barley and spring wheat grown from seeds from the infested spikes showed a 23-31% smaller number of productive tillers before harvesting, a 16% smaller number of grains per spike, a 13-16% lower grain weight per spike, and a total yield loss of 33-42%. In hulless bread wheat RWA fed on the developing kernels inflicting greater damage, whereas the hulled barley seeds were practically not damaged. The mean yield loss of the barley and spring wheat spikes infested with RWA was 24-32% and 50-66%, respectively. Due to the greater tillering capacity and formation of secondary productive tillers in barley, about 52% of the productive barley tillers and 37-39% of spring wheat ones were infested with RWA, which resulted in a comparable yield loss (20-25% in barley and 19-23% in spring wheat). Resistance to RWA was higher in spring wheat and barley cultivars with a shorter vegetation period, looser spikes, and thinner culm walls. The length of productive tillers damaged by RWA was reduced by 21-28%, which determined a lower incidence of leaf diseases.     

Oviposition and feeding preferences of a flower-feeding weevil,Coelocephalapion aculeatum, in relation to conspecific damage to its host-plant

The oviposition and feeding preferences ofCoelocephalapion aculeatum Fall (Coleoptera: Apionidae), a host specific florivore ofMimosa pigra L. (Mimosaceae), were studied in relation to conspecific damage to its hostplant. Adults ofC. aculeatum cease ovipositing in inflorescences when the egg load reaches a number consistent with the larval carrying capacity of the inflorescence. The basis for this oviposition deterrence was examined by offering inflorescences damaged by adult feeding alone, larval feeding alone and a combination of adult feeding and oviposition. Adults preferred to oviposit on inflorescences which are not damaged by either adult feeding, larval feeding, or oviposition. No evidence for the existence of an oviposition deterring pheromone (ODP) was found. I suggest that the ability of a single host inflorescence to support the development of many larvae causes selection for the use of these oviposition deterring cues which can convey more quantitative information about the level of previous infestation than can ODPs. Adults fed a similar amount on damaged compared to undamaged inflorescences. These results assisted in the design of host range testing trials and allows predictions to be made about the effectiveness of this insect as a biological control agent.     

Characteristics of the population build-up of the Russian wheat aphid Diuraphis noxia and the effect on wheat yield in the eastern Orange Free State

Diuraphis noxia infestations were monitored in early winter and winter wheat during 1983–1985. The aphid population increase was logarithmic in all three years and on both cultivars 100 % infestation levels were recorded. The period of exponential increase in both percentage infestation and in the number of D. noxia per stem took place when the plants had reached the stem elongation stage. The mean number recorded at peak population levels was 150–160 aphids per stem. During the period of plant senescence numbers dropped rapidly. Large reductions in yield were recorded on all infested plants. Single-plant data showed that yield reductions in the early winter cv. Betta were related to the duration of infestation. Relative to sprayed controls, reduction in kernel mass ranged from 25–80% and in 1000-kernel mass from 15–45%. However, the yield reductions of the faster-growing cv. Flamink, appeared to be dependent on the number of aphids per plant during the later growth stages and not the duration of infestation.     

Walnut development affects chemical composition and codling moth performance

1 We investigated for early and late blooming walnut cultivars in California whether variation in nut phenology resulted in differences in nutritional quality and whether this, in turn, affected the performance of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), and the extent of nut damage. 2 Mid‐season, during the period of nut growth, nuts from the early cultivars were larger than those from the late cultivars and had higher nitrogen content in both husk and kernel tissue, while kernel phenolic content was significantly lower. No major differences were observed later in the season after nuts from all cultivars had reached their final size. 3 Throughout the season establishment of neonate larvae was highest on nuts from the early cultivars but this was only significantly so at the beginning of the third codling moth generation. During the second codling moth generation (mid season) relative growth rates of third‐instar larvae were significantly higher on early than on late cultivars. Nut damage in the field was also significantly greater on early than on late cultivars during generation 2, while no significant differences were observed during generation 3. 4 The data suggest that the variation in codling moth damage among walnut cultivars is related to bloom phenology due to the influence of nut phenology on larval performance.     

Economic injury level and crop loss assessment for Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on different tomato cultivars

Specifying the relationship between pests and their host plants in terms of damage is one of the basic concepts of integrated pest management (IPM) programmes. The crop loss and economic injury level (EIL) of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) were determined on different tomato cultivars using gain threshold (field experiment) and regression (semi‐field experiment) methods. By assessing the crop loss in 2015 and 2016, four out of seven infested tomato cultivars had a significant yield loss in terms of weight of total fruits versus the control under the open‐field conditions. However, the total number of tomato cultivars had no significant difference to control treatment. The semi‐field experiment included six treatments (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 gravid females/plant) and examined two tomato cultivars. The tomato cages with between 6 and 10 gravid females/plant showed the highest number and weight of damaged fruits. Based on pesticide control costs, the market value of tomato and the control efficacy, we determined the EIL for T. absoluta. In the field experiment, the EIL value for T. absoluta on “Petomech,” “Cal JN3,” “Rio Grande” and “Early Urbana Y” cultivars was 4.15, 4.47, 4.70 and 5.04 larvae per plant, respectively. Based on regression equations, we calculated the EIL values for T. absoluta on “Cal JN3” and “Early Urbana Y” to be 4.75 and 5.44 larvae/plant, respectively. Crop loss assessment and EIL are necessary components of cost‐effective IPM programs and can be effective tools for making decisions about the application of pesticides against T. absoluta.     

Resistance of apple cultivars to Dysaphis plantaginea (Hemiptera: Aphididae): role of tree phenology in infestation avoidance

To test the importance of flowering phenology in damage caused to apple cultivars by rosy apple aphid, Dysaphis plantaginea (Passerini) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), susceptibility of 16 cultivars was compared in greenhouse conditions after infestation with aptera and in the field after natural tree colonization. Flowering phenology was recorded in the field for all the cultivars. In both greenhouse and field trials, there were differences among cultivars with respect to aphid infestation and damage. However, damage in the greenhouse and field was not significantly correlated. Flowering phenology was also different among cultivars. Flowering order among cultivars was significantly negatively correlated with aphid infestation and damage in field, i.e., early leafing cultivars showed higher infestation and damage than late-leafing cultivars. If egg hatching occurs before bud bursting, neonate larvae will suffer a high mortality because they cannot feed on these late cultivars. A later recolonization of these trees is hampered because (1) winged aphids cannot live on apple but only on the secondary host, (2) apterous forms have a limited dispersal capability, and (3) aphid predators progressively increase in the orchard. Therefore, synchronization between egg hatching and bud bursting is of critical importance in the success or failure of infestation.     

Differential induction of apoplastic peroxidase and chitinase activities in susceptible and resistant wheat cultivars by Russian wheat aphid infestation

The intercellular peroxidase and chitinase activities of three wheat cultivars [Triticum aestivum L. cvs `Tugela DN', `Molopo DN' (Gariep) and `Betta DN'] containing the Dn-1 gene for resistance to the Russian wheat aphid (RWA) Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko) and the corresponding near-isogenic susceptible cultivars (`Tugela', `Molopo' and `Betta') were studied under conditions of infestation and non-infestation. The aim was to gain information on the mechanism of resistance. The resistance response was induced by RWA infestation. Infestation rapidly induced the activities of both enzymes selectively in resistant wheat to levels of magnitudes higher than those in susceptible wheat. The genetic background in which the Dn-1 resistance gene is bred played a role and the level of activity corresponded to the level of resistance. Immunologic studies confirmed that the induction of enzyme activities was due to the induction of higher protein levels. These results indicate that peroxidase and chitinase may have a role in insect resistance. Received: 20 June 1997 / Revision received: 9 April 1998 / Accepted: 5 June 1998     

A relationship between dry matter and damage by larvae of the turnip root flyDelia floralis in cultivars of the swedish turnipBrassica napus

A series of trials from 1981–85 investigating the amount of damage caused by larvae of the turnip root flyDelia floralis (Fallen) to cultivars of Swedish turnipBrassica Napus (L.) of varying percentages of dry matter indicated that those of high dry matter were damaged less than low dry matter cultivars. Pupal numbers of turnip root fly gave good correlations with damage but there was no relationship between damage and cabbage root fly pupae.     

Effects of the paedogenetic mushroom cecid, Heteropeza pygmaea (Diptera:Cecidomyiidae) on cropping of the cultivated mushroom (Agaricus bisporus)

When introduced into a mushroom crop at rates of 2, 20 or 200 larvae/tray (0.56 m²), the mushroom cecid, Heteropeza pygmaea, caused significant reductions in both yield and number of mushrooms in relation to the infestation level. The reductions were greater when the larvae were introduced at spawning rather than at casing. The yield and number of infested (unmarketable) mushrooms increased significantly in relation to the initial infestation level. Just two H. pygmaea larvae, introduced at spawning, resulted in cecid populations that caused a 12% loss in total yield in addition to a 7% loss due to spoilage. Loss assessment in the future, therefore, should take into account both yield suppression and spoilage. There was little effect of cecid infestation on flush timing and mushroom size was only affected in the fourth flush, when a significant reduction (27%) was shown at the highest infestation rate at spawning.     

Varroa Mite Infestations in Elevated Honey Bee Brood Cells: Effects of Context and Caste

The Varroa mite infestation level of honey bee, Apis mellifera, worker larvae reared in individual raised cells was 6-fold higher than in the adjacent six cells surrounding them; this differential infestation rate is similar to published values of higher mite infestations of drone cells compared to worker cells. Infestation levels in control cells were the same as in the surrounding cells. In contrast to infestation of these individually raised cells, Varroa mites invaded worker larvae in raised cells along the perimeter of a patch of raised cells (10 by 21 rows) 2.5 times more often than surrounding unraised cells, and similarly ca. 2.5 times more often than in the remaining raised cells (interior) of this patch. In similarly prepared frames of drone comb, Varroa mites invaded individually raised drone cells 3.3-fold more often than the adjacent surrounding cells and control cells. On the other hand, Varroa mites infested drone larvae in the interior of the raised-patch area as often as drones in raised cells along the perimeter of the raised-patch, and this rate was ca. 2.5-fold higher than for drone larvae in unraised cells surrounding the raised-patch and drone larvae in control cells. The higher levels of infestation of raised cells did not come at the expense of the surrounding cells, i.e., the infestation levels of the adjacent surrounding cells were the same as in control cells. For worker larvae, the increased number of mites invading individual raised cells and edge cells of the raised patch were proportional to the number of surrounding nonraised cells. The relationship between raised cell-edges, observations of mite walking behavior on comb surfaces, and larval-to-cell-rim distances are discussed in relation to their possible roles in eliciting mite invasion of honey bee larval cells and contrasted to the putative role of kairomones in larval-host location.     

Control of Myzus persicae and Lipaphis erysimi (Hemiptera: Aphididae) by adults and larvae of a flightless strain of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on non-heading Brassica cultivars in the greenhouse

The green peach aphid [Myzus persicae (Sulzer)] and turnip aphid [Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach)] are economically important pests with a worldwide distribution. We have evaluated the efficacy of releasing adults and larvae of a flightless strain of the multicolored Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis Pallas) as a control measure against these aphids on plants of non-heading Brassica cultivars. Both adults and larvae of H. axyridis were observed to be effective biocontrol agents, markedly decreasing the numbers of aphids. The residence duration of adults was longer than that of larvae. The proportion of non-marketable plants damaged by aphids was lower in plots into which either adults or adults and larvae of H. axyridis had been released. These results suggest that both adults and larvae of this flightless strain of H. axyridis are effective in controlling aphids on plants of non-heading Brassica cultivars.     

β‐1,3‐Glucanases in wheat and resistance to the Russian wheat aphid

The Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko) is one of the most destructive insect pests of cereals world-wide. Although resistant cultivars have been bred, the biochemical mechanism of resistance is unknown. The aim of this work was to gain information on the mechanism of resistance which could contribute to more directed breeding of resistant cultivars in the future. The effect of RWA infestation on the inter- and intracellular β-1,3-glucanase activities was studied in different resistant wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars containing the Dn-1 gene for RWA resistance and corresponding near-isogenic susceptible cultivars. The activity was determined spectrophotometrically by measuring the release of glucose from laminarin. Infestation differentially induced the intra- and intercellular activities to much higher levels in resistant than susceptible cultivars within 48 h. According to immunological studies induced enzyme activities were due to increased protein levels. The intracellular β-1,3-glucanase contained about 8% exo-activity. The exo-activity made an insignificant contribution to the intercellular activity. The genetic background into which the resistance gene was bred did affect the level of activity that corresponded to the resistance performance. Seven apoplastic isoforms of β-1,3-glucanase, varying from acidic to basic, were resolved by isoelectric focusing. All isoenzymes were equally induced and no specific one could be linked to resistance or susceptibility. The RWA induced β-1,3-glucanase activity in resistant cultivars closely resembles defence responses during pathogenesis and seems to be part of a general defence response like the hypersensitive reaction (HR), which confers resistance to the RWA. This knowledge might be helpful in future to identify genes for RWA resistance. The increased β-1,3-glucanase activity after RWA infestation might serve as an additional measure to biochemically trace resistance in crosses during breeding.