| Abstract: | Available species and varieties of cotton were screened for sources of resistance to boll weevil damage. Preference (or non-preference) of selected cotton stocks to weevil feeding and oviposition was measured in caged field plot experiments. Possible antibiosis mechanisms were evaluated with the use of selected cottons stocks in both field cage and greenhouse experiments. The selected criteria of antibiosis tested included the cotton's effect on weevil emergence, size, duration of development in squares, fecundity, longevity, and the weevil's effect on abscission rate. Infestation of cotton in field cage experiments was achieved through periodic releases of boll weevils, while in the greenhouse experiments weevil eggs were implanted by hand in squares of the selected cotton stocks. ... |
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