Pest Management Science (2019) 75, 2242-2250

Roberta Alvarenga, Alexander Machado Auad, Jair Campos Moraes, Sandra Elisa Barbosa da Silva and Brunno Santos Rodrigues (2019)
Tolerance to nymphs and adults of Mahanarva spectabilis (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) by forage plants in fertilized soils
Pest Management Science 75 (8), 2242-2250
Abstract:
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.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Alexander M. Auad, Jair C. Moraes

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
damage/losses/economics
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Mahanarva spectabilis	Cenchrus (crop)
	Mahanarva spectabilis	Digitaria (crop)
	Mahanarva spectabilis	Urochloa (crop)‎