Environmental Entomology (1983) 12, 1094-1098

Tom M. Perring, T.L. Archer, D.L. Krieg and J.W. Johnson (1983)
Relationships between the banks grass mite (Acariformes: Tetranychidae) and physiological changes of maturing grain sorghum
Environmental Entomology 12 (4), 1094-1098
Abstract: Studies to examine the relationship between Banks grass mite densities and physiological changes of maturing sorghum plants were conducted. Cytoplasmic male-sterile and male-sterile-producing sorghum lines were used to create different levels of leaf nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbohydrates by manipulating seed set. Higher nitrogen and carbohydrate concentrations were present in sterile plants, whereas phosphorous levels were influenced more by sorghum variety. Only soluble sugar concentration was significantly related to mite densities throughout the grain filling period, with carbohydrates having a negative influence on the mites. Spider mite response to nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations were dependent upon plant phenology.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Thomas M. Perring

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Oligonychus pratensis	Sorghum (crop)	U.S.A. (mid S)