Abstract
The role of leaf pubescence in resistance of soybean to the false melon beetle (FMB), Atrachya menetriesi FALDERMANN, was investigated in the field and laboratory using genotypes of soybean with varying levels of pubescence on leaves. There was a negative correlationship between trichome density on leaves and levels of leaf damage caused by feeding of adult FMB. Most of the genotypes which exhibited a high level of resistance to FMB were highly pubescent. There was a clear difference in the damage level between the high pubescent variety, T-207, and beetle attack was overwhelmingly biased to the shaved part. SEM observations revealed only the normal type of trichomes, and no glandular trichomes, on the soybean leaf. All these facts suggest that leaf pubescence might be a major factor associated with the resistance of soybean to FMB.
