Factors of between- and within-plant distribution of Metopolophium dirhodum (Hom., Aphididae) on small grain cereals

Abstract: The relationship between abundance of rose‐grain aphid Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker) and leaf chlorophyll content of spring wheat, spring oats and winter barley was investigated. Within production stands of each crop 18–25 plots were established, located at places with different plant quality where aphids were counted on particular leaves of 50–100 tillers, and the leaf chlorophyll content and area were determined. In all stands aphid numbers × tiller^?1 increased exponentially with chlorophyll content (r² = 0.783–0.933). This parallel variation may be explained by increased nitrogen content and assimilate production of vigorous chlorophyll‐rich plants. The aphid numbers on leaves of particular order (within‐plant distribution) were also correlated with leaf chlorophyll content (r² = 0.373–0.827). However, in oats and barley the analysis of variance of residuals of log aphids × leaf^?1 versus leaf chlorophyll regression revealed a significant effect of leaf position (the order of the leaf from the top of the plant). The magnitude of residuals was positively related to leaf size and may be related to the intensity of phloem transport from the source leaves to sink organs.