Screening for resistance against rhopalosiphum padi (L.). I. avena species and breeding lines

Summary Thirty-two accessions of Avena species and breeding lines were evaluated for resistance, primarily antibiosis, to the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) in greenhouse and growth room tests. The highest levels of resistance were found in A. barbata and in the perennial species A. macrostachya. One breeding line, Obee, was also found to have interesting resistance characters. Resistance in A. macrostachya is discussed in relation to perenniality. A different screening method for rapid testing of large collections of varieties is evaluated.