Publications des scientifiques de l'IRD

Juma G., Ahuya P. O., Ong'amo G., Le Rü Bruno, Magoma G., Silvain Jean-François, Calatayud Paul-André. (2015). Influence of plant silicon in Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae) larvae - Poaceae interactions. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 105 (2), p. 253-258. ISSN 0007-4853.

Titre du document
Influence of plant silicon in Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae) larvae - Poaceae interactions
Année de publication
2015
Type de document
Article référencé dans le Web of Science WOS:000352714100012
Auteurs
Juma G., Ahuya P. O., Ong'amo G., Le Rü Bruno, Magoma G., Silvain Jean-François, Calatayud Paul-André
Source
Bulletin of Entomological Research, 2015, 105 (2), p. 253-258 ISSN 0007-4853
The noctuid stem borer Busseola fusca is an important pest of maize and sorghum in Sub-Saharan Africa. The presence of this species occurred mostly on cultivated than on wild habitats. Busseola fusca is oligophagous having a narrow range of a wild grass species. This might be due, in part, to differences in silicon (Si) content in plant tissues between cultivated and wild grasses. In the present study, we have tested this hypothesis by studying the survival and the relative growth rate (RGR) expressed as daily weight gains of B. fusca larvae on maize and six wild host plants, mostly present in the natural habitat where B. fusca occurred, and correlated with their Si contents. Survival and RGR of B. fusca larvae were considerably higher on maize and wild sorghum than on the other grass species, and they were negatively related to plant Si content. This was corroborated with results on RGR from artificial diets amended with increasing levels of Si. In addition, if Si was added to maize growing substrate B. fusca larval growth was significantly reduced confirming the involvement of Si in B. fusca larvae - Poaceae interactions. The results provide insight into the possible mechanisms of oligophagy of B. fusca and provide a correlative support for a physical role of plant endogenous Si in impeding feeding of B. fusca larvae.
Plan de classement
Sciences du monde végétal [076] ; Sciences du monde animal [080]
Description Géographique
AFRIQUE SUBSAHARIENNE ; KENYA
Localisation
Fonds IRD [F B010064147]
Identifiant IRD
fdi:010064147
Contact