Biochemical and Ultrastructural Changes of Some Tomato Cultivars after Infestation with Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) at Qalyubiyah, Egypt

Tomato plants are severely infested with Aphis gossypii in all over the world. The present investigation aims at evaluating effects of tomato leaf biochemical components as well as leaflet surface physical features on the susceptibility of five tomato cultivars (Alissa, GS, Logan, Super Strain B and Andos). Results clearly indicated significant differences among the five tested tomato cultivars according to their susceptibility to A. gossypii infestation. In addition, the cultivars Logan and Andos are the most susceptible, while Super Strain B and Alissa cultivars showed moderate resistance. The GS cultivar, finally, was the most resistant one. Photosynthetic pigments, biochemical components and antioxidant defense enzymes activity were negatively affected by infestation. Moreover, the density and length of leaflet non-glandular trichomes negatively effect on the population density of A. gossypii, while this was not the case with glandular trichomes. From these results, the susceptibility of tomato cultivars on the basis of these results in the integrated aphids management programs.