Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the effects of various petroleum-derived substances (PDSs), namely petrol, diesel fuel, and spent engine oil, on life history traits of the bird cherry-oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi L., and on the growth and chemical composition of its host plant—winter wheat Triticum aestivum L. Each substance was tested separately, using two concentrations (9 and 18 g kg−1). Plants were cultivated in both control and contaminated soils. In early October 2013, soil was contaminated and after 1 week, winter wheat seeds, ‘Batuta’ cultivar, were sown. In early June 2014, observations of the effect of petroleum-derived substances on traits of three successive generations of aphids were conducted. Aphids were inoculated separately on leaves using cylindrical cages hermetically closed on both sides. Contamination of aphid occurred through its host plant. Results showed that all of the applied petroleum-derived substances have a generally adverse effect on the developmental parameters in aphids, resulting in the decrease of its fecundity, shortening its average life span, and most often lowering of the population intrinsic growth rate. PDSs caused the limitation of growth in wheat plants; whereas, changes in nutrient contents and heavy metals depended on the part of the plant analysed, the substance applied, and on its dose. The negative relationships between the contents of both some macro-elements (Ca, K, P) and heavy metals (Mn, Cd, Cu, and Zn) and the developmental parameters of particular generations of R. padi were observed. The high susceptibility of R. padi to the presence of PDSs in the substrate for the host plant should be emphasised—the clear-cut changes in the life span and fecundity, with relatively small changes in the chemical composition of the plant, constitute an evident indication that the developmental parameters of aphids have the potential for the use as bio-indicator to evaluate the state of the environment contaminated by PDSs.
Highlights
The soil contamination with petroleum-derived substances (PDSs), associated with the development of petroleumResponsible editor: Philippe GarriguesEnviron Sci Pollut Res (2018) 25:27000–27012 al. 2008)
The aim of the study was to establish the effect of different concentrations of petroleum-derived substances, such as petrol, diesel fuel, and spent engine oil on the life history traits of three generations of aphids Rhopalosiphum padi L. feeding on winter wheat
Compared with the control plants, both engine oil and diesel fuel in two doses applied resulted in a significant shortening of life span in three studied generations of R. padi feeding on the plants growing on contaminated soil (Fig. 1)
Summary
The soil contamination with petroleum-derived substances (PDSs), associated with the development of petroleumResponsible editor: Philippe GarriguesEnviron Sci Pollut Res (2018) 25:27000–27012 al. 2008). Aphids are very dangerous and some of the most common pests of cereals Both adult individuals and larvae puncture leaves, shoots, flowers, and other vegetative and generative organs, subsequently sucking the juices, which leads to the yellowing, withering, and death of plants. As a result of many simplified cultivation practices, as well as with the favourable climatic conditions, an increased significance of the bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.) in farmland cultivars is noted It pertains to the changes in the development of this pest and with the emergence of new anholocyclic forms which transfer the barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) (Hu et al 2007; Strażyński and Ruszkowska 2015)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
