Journal of Applied Entomology (2015) 139, 727-733

X. Hou, L. Meng, L. Li, G. Pan and B. Li (2015)
Biochar amendment to soils impairs developmental and reproductive performances of a major rice pest Nilaparvata lugens (Homopera: Delphacidae)
Journal of Applied Entomology 139 (10), 727-733
Abstract: Biochar amendments to soils had aroused much interest for having potential for greenhouse gas mitigation, soil improvement and increased crop productivity. However, little attention had been focused on the influence of biochar amendments on herbivorous insect pests. This study investigated whether a biochar amendment affected developmental and reproductive performances of the rice brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) feeding on rice plants. The biochar from the pyrolysis of wheat straw was used for treatments of soils (from a fallow rice field), and the treated soils were applied to grow rice seedlings in small vials, in which N. lugens life history was observed. The nymphal development time was delayed and nymph-to-adult survival decreased with a high level of 200 g/kg biochar application. Herbivore lifetime fecundity decreased with increasing amounts of biochar, from 256 eggs under the control down to 69 eggs under the high level (200 g/kg) of biochar application. Egg-hatching rate significantly decreased at the highest biochar level (200 g/kg), compared to the other lower biochar levels. Our results suggest that biochar amendment to rice fields may have negative impacts on the rice brown planthoppers when applied at level of 200 g/kg of soil.
(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): Baoping Li

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Nilaparvata lugens