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Effect of Silicon and Plant Growth Regulators on the Biology and Fitness of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, a Recently Invaded Pest of Maize in India

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Abstract

Silicon (Si) and Plant growth regulators (PGR’s) are known to induce resistance against various insect pests. A study was conducted to determine the effect of Si and PGR’s on biology and induced resistance in maize against recently invaded fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda. Different foliar silicic acid (FSA), gibberellic acid (GA3) and jasmonic acid (JA) at different concentrations and combinations were evaluated. The larvae fed on plants treated with FSA, FSA + GA3 and jasmonic acid exhibited lower larval, pre-pupal and pupal weight, whereas no effect of gibberellic acid alone on these parameters. Application of FSA at 2 ml L−1and GA3 0.5 mg plant−1 significantly decreased the larval weight (18.38 mg at 5th day, 219.35 mg at 10th day), pre-pupal weight (168.64 mg), pupal weight (158.22 mg) and larval survival (70.00%), fecundity (500.20 eggs/female) and fertility (62.68%). Male longevity was decreased by all the treatments except with the application of GA3 and JA and female longevity was unaffected by JA. The biological parameters of S. frugiperda were negatively correlated with increase in Si, phenols and tannins and potassium concentration in leaves. The study conclusively demonstrated significant negative effect on various biological parameters of FAW when plants were treated with Si and PGR’s.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgments

Authors thank Dr. M. Hanumanthappa, Director of Research, UAHS, Shivamogga-577 204 for encouragement and facilities. The facilities generated under DST-FIST in Department of Entomology, UAHS is also acknowledged.

Funding Statement

The authors thank UAHS, Shivamogga for SRP grants to the first author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Agriculture, Navile, University of Agricultural and Horticultural science (UAHS), Shivamogga, Karnataka, 577204, India

    W. Nagaratna, C. M. Kalleshwaraswamy, B. C. Dhananjaya &  Sharanabasappa

  2. University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560 065, India

    N. B. Prakash

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  1. W. Nagaratna
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  2. C. M. Kalleshwaraswamy
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  3. B. C. Dhananjaya
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Contributions

W. Nagaratna, C.M. Kalleshwaraswamy: Rearing test insects, conducted experiment and statistical analysis.

C.M. Kalleshwaraswamy, N. B. Prakash, Sharanabasappa: Planned the design and experiment.

B.C. Dhananjaya and N. B. Prakash: Analysed soil and plant samples.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. M. Kalleshwaraswamy.

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The insects used were pests of the maize crop and investigation is helpful for its management and is compliance with the ethical standards.

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Not applicable. The insects used were pests of the crop and investigation is helpful for its management.

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Nagaratna, W., Kalleshwaraswamy, C.M., Dhananjaya, B.C. et al. Effect of Silicon and Plant Growth Regulators on the Biology and Fitness of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, a Recently Invaded Pest of Maize in India. Silicon 14, 783–793 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-020-00901-8

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