Plant resistance research requires many entomological and plant breeding techniques and methodologies of which some are critical to the success of the programme. The entomologist has the responsibility of developing techniques for: providing sufficient numbers of insects for screening and other plant resistance studies; creating uniform and controlled populations of the test insect for identifying and developing resistant germplasm; measuring resistance; and determining mechanisms and bases of resistance. A thorough knowledge of the insect-host plant relationship is essential for developing efficient techniques. Some of the considerations involved in developing these techniques are discussed with selected examples to illustrate various techniques employed in plant resistance to insects research.
