Tolerance as a mechanism of resistance to Thrips palmi in common beans

Tolerance as a mechanism of resistance to the melon thrips, Thrips palmi Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), in common beans, Phaseolus vulgaris L., was evaluated under field and greenhouse conditions. Seven resistant (Brunca, BH-5, BH-60, BH-130, BH-144, EMP 486, and FEB 115) and five susceptible (PVA 773, EMP 514, BAT 477, APN 18, and RAZ 136) bean genotypes were assessed according to adult and larval populations, visual damage and reproductive adaptation scores, and yield components in field trials. From these genotypes, four resistant (Brunca, BH-130, EMP 486, and FEB 115) and two susceptible (APN 18 and RAZ 136) genotypes were selected for quantification of proportional plant weight and height increase changes due to thrips infestation in greenhouse tests. Under medium to high thrips infestation in the field, most resistant genotypes tended to have higher reproductive adaptation and lower yield losses, though they did not always suffer less damage, as compared to susceptible genotypes. In the greenhouse, resistant genotypes showed less reduction in plant dry weight and height increase than did some susceptible ones under the same infestation pressure. Results from both field trials and greenhouse tests suggest the possible expression of tolerance as a mechanism of resistance to T. palmi in the resistant genotype EMP 486, and confirm the existence of antixenosis in FEB 115, whereas tolerance might be combined with other resistance mechanisms in Brunca.