Premium
Tolerance to nymphs and adults of Mahanarva spectabilis (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) by forage plants in fertilized soils
Author(s) -
Alvarenga Roberta,
Auad Alexander Machado,
Moraes Jair Campos,
da Silva Sandra Elisa Barbosa,
Rodrigues Brunno Santos
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.5361
Subject(s) - hemiptera , nymph , forage , biology , agronomy , soil water , botany , ecology
BACKGROUND Several factors may degrade pastures, in particular, inadequate nutrient application and spittlebug attacks. Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant, 1909) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae), one of the species that occur in Brazil, is a limiting pest in forage production. This study analyzes the influence of fertilization with the macronutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) on the survival of M. spectabilis nymphs, and the effects of damage by nymphs and adults on the production, quality and regrowth capacity of the forages Brachiaria ruziziensis , Pennisetum purpureum and Digitaria sp. RESULTS Fertilization of the forages differentially affected damage due to spittlebug herbivory. Attacks by nymphs and adults decreased chlorophyll content, plant regrowth and forage quality, and increased injury, regardless of fertilization. The availability of nutrients in the soil not only decreased fiber content, but also increased crude protein, chlorophyll content and regrowth, even when pest infested. Soil fertilization increased the capacity of forage plants to lessen, albeit not eliminate, the effects of injury by M. spectabilis . CONCLUSION Forages in fertilized soil are more tolerant to attacks by M. spectabilis nymphs and adults. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry