Effect of Greenbug (Homoptera: Aphididae) Damage on Root and Shoot Biomass of Wheat Seedlings1

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), damage to very small wheat plants has been implicated as the most important cause of yield reduction. A study of influence of greenbug infestation on ‘TAM W-101’ wheat seedling growth patterns was conducted using greenbug biotype E. Plants were grown in Supercell Cone-Tainers using a fritted clay medium and were infested at emergence and at 7 days postemergence. Greenbugs were allowed to feed and reproduce freely until damage was severe; then they were removed. Growth of roots and shoots was measured at 0, 7, and 14 days after greenbug removal. Little difference in growth between damaged and undamaged plants had occurred at 0 days, but at the end of 14 days damage was significant, and growth differences continued to diverge at an increasing rate. Greenbug damage to juvenile plants with several tillers demonstrated the same reduction in root and shoot biomass, but more greenbugs and a longer infestation period were required for a comparable rate of damage. These results show that primary expression of damage was a reduction of root and shoot biomass. Apparently, cost of infestation to small wheat plants is magnified over time and ultimately may be expressed in reproductive loss.