Effects of Hessian Fly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Larvae and Plant Age on Growth and Soluble Carbohydrates of Winoka Winter Wheat

Abstract

‘Winoka’ wheat was infested with five levels of Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), larvae. Plant growth traits and soluble carbohydrates were analyzed at 5 and 8 wk (3 additional weeks of cold hardening at 1.6°C) after planting. The stem and leaf number, plant weight and length, crown weight, leaf weight and length, and root weight in both plant age groups at the 1–3 larvae per plant (l/p) level were significantly less ( P < 0.05) than the control values, except for the 8-wk root weight. The plant traits at the 1–3 l/p level were significantly different than those at the other larval levels, with the exception of 5- and 8-wk plant lengths, and 5-wk leaf length, and plant, leaf and root weights. The greatest damage occurred at the 4–6, 7–9, and 10–15 l/p levels, usually with no significant difference between these levels. The soluble carbohydrates (fructan, sucrose, glucose, and fructose) in the crown of 8-wk plants were significantly greater than those in the 5-wk plants, whereas only sucrose and glucose were greater in the leaves.