Effect of Silicic Acid Formulation (Silicon 0.8%) on Two Major Insect Pests of Tomato under Greenhouse Conditions

Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) is an important vegetable crop in Iraq. This horticultural crop is attacked by several insect pest species. Among them, the white y Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) are the major threat of greenhouse tomatoes in Basrah province in south Iraq. The management of these pests is heavily based on application of chemical pesticides. Vast application of pesticides caused harmful damage to the environment, human health and may increasing the risk of pest resistance on insect populations. One of the promising strategies which are compatible with organic farming is application of silicon for enhancing plant vigor and resistance to pest damage on various agricultural crops. Due to these facts, the experiments have been carried out at Basrah University to evaluate the effects of silicon (Si) fertilization on tomato plants for reducing damage of these two major pests. Treatments comprised two type of Si applications (Soil drench treatment and foliar spraying) with four Si concentrations (0, 0.5, 1 and 2%) of AB Yellow ® silicic acid formulation. The population density of B. tabaci and T. absoluta were studied weekly during the growth season. The results clearly demonstrated that Silicon applications signi cantly decreased the population of immature of both white ies and tomato leaf miner on tomato crop in the greenhouse; Si-Foliar spraying was more effective in reducing the population density of these key pests compared to Si-soil drench application.

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)-Based Defense Induction in Maize against Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)

“…The results of the contemporary study were same as recorded by [18], which showed that the foliar spray of SiO2 caused the highest larval mortality and decreased the fall armyworm infestation on maize plants. Results of the present study are in line with the findings of [19] that the foliar spraying of silicon was more effective in reducing the population density of B. tabaci and T. absoluta in tomato crop compared to a Sisoil drench application. Results are also supported by the work of [20], which concluded that Si addition improves the leaf silicon concentration in all parts of plants and decreases fall armyworm infestation.…”

Influence of silicon and growth regulator on leaf, whorl and cob damage of maize fall armyworm in vivo

“…There is increasing evidence that Si treatment alters the accumulation of various defensive compounds, including phytoalexins, phenolics and chlorogenic acid [14,15]. Silicon applications signi cantly decreased the population of immature white ies and tomato leaf miner on tomato crop in the greenhouse; Si-foliar spraying was more effective in reducing the population density of these key pests compared to Si-soil drench application [16].…”

Effect of Silicon and Biostimulant on Fall Armyworm Infestation in Maize (Zea mays L.)

“…Phytoalexins, phenolics, and chlorogenic acid are among the defensive compounds whose accumulation is altered by Si treatment, according to mounting data [15,16]. The population of immature whiteflies and tomato leaf miners on the tomato crop in the greenhouse was greatly reduced as a result of silicon applications; Si-foliar spraying was more successful in doing this than Si-soil drench application [17]. Pereira et al [18] demonstrated the larval mortality of S. frugiperda on Si supplemented plants and got similar confirmatory results.…”