A comparison of the level of resistance in diploid Triticum monococcum and hexaploid Triticum aestivum wheat seedlings to the aphids Metopolophium dirhodum and Rhopalosiphum padi

SUMMARY Resistance to the aphids Metopolophium dirhodum and Rhopalosiphum padi was assessed by measuring adult weight, development time and fecundity on seedlings of three ‘ancient’ diploid wheat lines (Triticum monococcum) and four ‘modern’ hexaploid wheat cultivars (T. aestivum). Adult weight and fecundity were consistently greater on the hexaploid cvs but development time and the intrinsic rate of increase were less affected. Unvernalised seedlings formed the basis of a screening method, the results of which showed the same pattern as already published studies using older plants.