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Abstract
Agricultural intensification and climate change are expected to affect pest performance through excessive inputs of chemical fertilizers and increased probability of extreme drought events. Potential interactive effects of fertilization and water availability on aboveground pest performance may depend on soil fertility because of its effect on nutrient availability. In a greenhouse experiment, we examined the effects of inorganic fertilization on the performance of the grain aphid (Sitobion avenae, F.), an important pest of wheat, under different conditions of soil fertility and water availability. We found soil fertility and water availability to influence the positive effects of inorganic fertilizers on aphid growth, i.e. fertilization promoted faster aphid development time and higher fecundity and biomass under low fertility and under well-watered conditions. Moreover, although increased soil fertility favored aphid growth under well-watered conditions, it simultaneously sustained plant development. The current practices promoting soil fertility do not have direct negative consequence on crop protection under conventional cropping systems.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 23-31 |
Journal | Basic and Applied Ecology |
Volume | 30 |
Early online date | 26 May 2018 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Aug 2018 |
Keywords
- Agricultural intensification
- Cereals
- Climate change
- Grain aphid
- Nitrogen
- Soil organic matter
- Water availability
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Dive into the research topics of 'Drought and soil fertility modify fertilization effects on aphid performance in wheat'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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LIBERATION: LInking farmland Biodiversity to Ecosystem seRvices for effective ecofunctional intensificATION
1/02/13 → 31/01/17
Project: EU research project