Premium
Foliar Nutrient Concentrations of Insect Susceptible and Resistant Soybean Germplasm
Author(s) -
Elden T. C.,
Kenworthy W. J.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1994.0011183x003400030018x
Subject(s) - biology , germplasm , nutrient , cultivar , glycine , genotype , agronomy , horticulture , insect , botany , gene , amino acid , ecology , genetics
Differences in host plant quality to insect herbivores may be explained by variations in secondary plant compounds and plant nutrients. Soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] germplasm resistant to foliar feeding insect pests have been identified and developed. Investigations into the chemical basis of this resistance have met with limited success. The objectives of this study were to determine the foliar concentrations of 12 nutrients in 18 field‐grown soybean lines with known quantitative levels of resistance or susceptibility to the Mexican bean beetle (MBB) ( Epilachna varivestis Mulsant) and to determine if a relationship exists between nutrient concentrations and resistance. Eighteen soybean genotypes were evaluated. The six MBB‐resistant lines of Group 1 included PI 171451 or lines derived therefrom. The six MBB‐resistant lines of Group 2 included PI 229358 or lines derived therefrom. The six Group 3 lines were MBB‐susceptible commercial cultivars. The MBB feeding damage and foliar concentrations of P, Ca, and Fe in resistant Groups 1 and 2 were significantly less ( P < 0.01) than in susceptible Group 3. Significant positive linear contrasts indicated that as damage increased, foliar concentrations of P, Ca, and Fe increased. Results indicate that none of the foliar nutrients analyzed in this study have a direct cause‐effect relationship with MBB resistance. However, the foliar concentrations of three nutrients (P, Ca, and Fe) are significantly lower in MBB‐resistant soybean genotypes using PI 171451 or PI 229358 as the resistant parent, which suggests that these nutrients are associated or linked to the true cause of resistance.