Effect of petroleum-derived substances on life history traits of black bean aphid (Aphis fabae Scop.) and on the growth and chemical composition of broad bean

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of various petroleum-derived substances, namely petrol, diesel fuel and spent engine oil, on life history traits and population dynamics of the black bean aphid Aphis fabae Scop. and on growth and chemical composition of its host plant Vicia faba L. Each substance was tested separately, using two concentrations (9 g kg−1 and 18 g kg−1). The experiment was conducted in four replications (four pots with five plants in each pot per treatment). Plants were cultivated in both control and contaminated soils. After six weeks from soil contamination and five weeks from sowing the seeds, observations of the effect of petroleum-derived substances on traits of three successive generations of aphids were conducted. Aphids were inoculated separately on leaves using cylindrical cages hermetically closed on both sides. Contamination of aphid occurred through its host plant. Results showed that all tested substances adversely affected A. fabae life history traits and population dynamics: extension of the prereproductive period, reduction of fecundity and life span, reduction of the population intrinsic growth rate. In broad bean, leaf, roots, and shoot growth was also impaired in most conditions, whereas nutrient and heavy metal content varied according to substances, their concentration, as well as plant part analysed. Results indicate that soil contamination with petroleum-derived substances entails far-reaching changes not only in organisms directly exposed to these pollutants (plants), but also indirectly in herbivores (aphids) and consequently provides information about potential negative effects on further links of the food chain, i.e., for predators and parasitoids.

Soil Pollution by Petroleum-Derived Substances and its Bioremediation: The Effect on Aphis fabae Scop. Infestation and Antioxidant Response in Vicia faba L.

“…Davies et al [41] found that, under laboratory conditions, the larvae of black bean aphids reach sexual maturity as early as after 5.85 ± 0.35 days; however, under field conditions, this period is usually extended and is generally between 7.65 and 11.3 days [18,40]. In our studies, the period amounted to 11.13 days for the first generation, and 9.25 days for the second generation.…”

“…In our studies, the period amounted to 11.13 days for the first generation, and 9.25 days for the second generation. The fecundity of the wingless females of A. fabae foraging on broad bean plants ranges between 15.3 to 59.2 larvae born [37,42], and their lifespan amounts to 16-25 days [18,40,42,43]. In our experiment, the females foraging on control plants gave birth to an average of approximately 29 larvae, and their lifespan was approximately 16-18 days.…”

“…In our experiment, the females foraging on control plants gave birth to an average of approximately 29 larvae, and their lifespan was approximately 16-18 days. According to various authors [18,40,43], the intrinsic growth rate in the population of black bean aphids foraging on broad bean plants ranges from 0.159 to 0.345, and it is different in different generations of the insect. In our experiment, the rate in the first generation amounted 0.16 to 0.21 and from 0.24 to 0.28 in the second.…”

“…As indicated by the data available in earlier publications, the effect of PDSs upon the developmental parameters of aphids depends on the type of contaminating substance, its dose, as well as on the species and generation of pest. Rusin et al [18] demonstrated that, with soil contamination with PDSs, the duration of the pre-reproduction period in A. fabae aphids can extend up to 12.2 days. Soil contamination with EO or DF, as well as with P in the dose of 9 g kg −1 , results in the reduction of fecundity and of the lifespan of A. fabae by up to 70% and 30%, respectively, as well as in almost complete inhibition of the population intrinsic growth rate [18].…”

The Effect of Soil Pollution by Oil Derivatives on Harpalus rufipes Deg. (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

“…However, they were often observed burrying themselves in the soil, which exposed them to contact with petroleum compounds through integuments. There is a considerable diversification in the response to oil derivatives depending on animal species and age [32,33]. Considering their survival rate, adult earthworms are much more resistant to oil derivatives than their juvenile forms or Collembola.…”