Effect of resistance and trichome inducers on attraction of Euschistus heros (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) to soybeans

Abstract

Seed-sucking stink bugs are notable among the insect species that are economically relevant to Brazilian soybean crops. This study sought to evaluate how the application of resistance inducers affects the attraction of the neotropical brown stink bug, Euschistus heros (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), to soybean plants, which is correlated with trichome density in these plants. Seeds from various soybean varieties, including IAC 17 and IAC 100 (resistant), BRS Conquista (moderately resistant), and BRS Jatai (susceptible), were sown in polyethylene pots with a mixture of soil and organic compost. Attraction, which was correlated with the number of trichomes on each variety, was assessed with or without the application of various resistance inducers, including acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM), potassium silicate (K silicate), calcium and magnesium silicate (Ca+Mg silicate), and sodium silicate (Na silicate), and a control solution. The IAC 100 variety exhibited non-preference type resistance to E. heros. The IAC 100 and IAC 17 varieties exhibited non-preference-type resistance to E. heros. The application of Ca+Mg silicate, K silicate and Na silicate increased the resistance of soybean varieties to E. heros. In addition, increases in the number of trichomes of soybean plants were associated with reduced attractiveness of these plants to E. heros. Key words: Glycine max, induction of resistance, silicon, plant resistance to insects.