Morphological and biochemical basis of tolerance mechanism in safflower against aphid

The present investigation entitled “Morphological and biochemical basis of tolerance mechanism in safflower against aphid” was conducted at Oilseeds Research Unit, Dr. PDKV, Akola during Rabi 2024- 25. The trial consisted of 29 genotypes replicated twice in Randomized Block Design. The research was performed to check out the reaction of different safflower genotypes against aphid. Among these GMU-7331, GMU-3205, AKS-325, AKS-322 and AKS/S-33 were found least Aphid Infestation Index (A.I.I.) with 2.0 and graded under tolerant category. Foliage drying due to aphids was observed in the range of 29.50 per cent to 87.25 per cent. Based on per cent foliage drying, foliage drying grade allotted to all tested genotypes. Genotypes GMU-7356, GMU-7331, GMU-3293, GMU-3205, AKS-325, AKS-322, AKS-207, GFD-3045, AKS/S-33 & A-1 alloted least grade i.e. 2. Morphological traits like pale green, shiny, thin and spiny leaves associated with tolerant mechanism against aphid. The genotypes having high total phenol, high total tannin and low chlorophyll content as compared to susceptible genotypes were recorded as tolerant genotypes.