Influence of Onion Cultivars and Their Microbial Colonizers on Resistance to Onion Maggot123

Abstract

In 3 different regions of New York, ‘Japanese Bunching,’ Allium fistulosum L., was less damaged by onion maggot, Hylemya antique (Meigen), than bulbing onion varieties, Allium cepa L.. Bulbing varieties were attacked to the same extent regardless of pungency or time of maturity. Onions were less damaged when transplanted than when direct-seeded in the field. Greenhouse studies suggested that the resistance of Japanese Bunching seedlings was due to nonpreference. Laboratory studies showed that selection of hosts for oviposition by onion maggot females may be governed by microbial activity on or near the plant.