Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (1998) 86, 175-182

A.M. Jauset, M.J. Sarasúa, J. Avilla and R. Albajes (1998)
The impact of nitrogen fertilization of tomato on feeding site selection and oviposition by Trialeurodes vaporariorum
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 86 (2), 175-182
Abstract: Tomato plants, Lycopersicon esculentum Miller cv 'Tres Cantos', were supplied with high (308 ppm), medium (140 ppm) and low (84 ppm) nitrogen doses in order to determine the influence of nitrogen fertilization on feeding and oviposition site selection by greenhouse whitefly adults, T. vaporariorum (Westwood). The nitrogen and water content was higher in plants supplied with 308 N ppm than in plants with medium or low nitrogen doses and no differences were found in soluble sugar content. The leaves of the upper plant stratum (leaves 1-5) had the greatest nitrogen and water content, independent of the nitrogen dose applied. The plants were exposed to T. vaporariorum adults into a greenhouse under two current (late autumn-winter and spring-early summer) situations of the tomato crop in the Mediterranean area. The distribution of whitefly adults on the plants was affected by the nitrogen dose in both experimental conditions, the number of adults was higher on the plants supplied with high nitrogen dose. Within plants, adult distribution was affected by leaf position, the upper plant stratum being preferred for feeding. Whitefly females selected for oviposition and laid more eggs on plants and leaves of plants with higher nitrogen and water contents. We conclude that whitefly host selection for feeding and ovipositing are related to differences in nitrogen and water content of the host plant.
(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): Ramon Albajes, Jesús Avilla

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Trialeurodes vaporariorum	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)	Spain (continental)