Induction of Resistance by Silicon in Wheat Plants to Alate and Apterous Morphs ofSitobion avenae(Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Abstract

Despite the knowledge about the effects of silicon augmenting antibiosis and nonpreference of plants by apterous aphids, few studies exist on such effects with alate aphids. This study evaluated the effects of silicon fertilization on the biology of alate and apterous morphs of Sitobion avenae (F.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and the effect on nonpreference by S. avenae alates for wheat plants with or without silicon fertilization. A method for rearing aphids on detached leaves was evaluated comparing the biology of apterous aphids reared on wheat leaf sections and on whole plants with and without silicon fertilization. Because the use of detached leaves was a reliable method, the effect of silicon fertilization on the biology of apterous and alate S. avenae was assessed using wheat leaf sections. Biological data of aphids were used to calculate a fertility life table. Finally, the effect of silicon fertilization on the nonpreference of alate aphids was carried out for both vegetative and reproductive phases of wheat. Thirty alate aphids were released in the center of a cage, and the number of aphids per whole plant with or without silicon fertilization was observed. Silicon fertilization induced antibiosis resistance in wheat plants to apterous morphs as shown by reduced fecundity, reproductive period, longevity, intrinsic rate of increase, and net reproductive rate; however, alates were unaffected. Plants that received silicon fertilization had fewer alate aphids in both the vegetative and reproductive phases. Thus, silicon fertilization can reduce colonization by alates, enhancing nonpreference resistance, and population growth of apterous S. avenae in wheat plants.

Aleurocanthus woglumi (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Citrus: Opportunities and Challenges to Implement a Sustainable Management

“…Mortality on egg (90-100%) Gamma irradiation (200 Gy) [45] essential nutritional element to the plants [49], but as potassium silicate, calcium silicate, and sodium silicate from other sources has determined the tolerance of many plant species to insects [50][51][52][53]. Silicon promoted cuticle thickening and accumulation of crystals on the leaf stomata in sugarcane [54].…”

Silicon and Insect Pest Resistance

“…A signifi cant reduction of the number of aphids was observed during aphids' colonization as a result of Si application. More recently, Si fertilization was reported to induce resistance of wheat plants to apterous morphs via antibiosis as shown by reduced fecundity, reproductive period, longevity, intrinsic rate of increase and net reproductive rate; however, alates were unaffected (Dias et al 2014 ). Plants treated with Si had fewer alate aphids in both the vegetative and reproductive phases compared with Si-untreated plants.…”

Acidity neutralization and silicon availability using calcium silicate in soil cultivated with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

“…In wheat, it was found that Si decreased the incidence and severity of diseases (Bélanger et al, 2003;Guével et al, 2007) and increased the resistance to pests (Dias et al, 2014), to salinity (Tuna et al, 2008), and to water deficit (Gong et al, 2005).…”