Relationship between chemical fertilization in sorghum and Melanaphis sacchari/sorghi (Hemiptera: Aphididae) populations

Abstract

The aphid Melanaphis sacchari/sorghi is considered the most important pest of sorghum cultivation in Mexico. It can cause losses in production of up to 100%. This research was conducted at the Universidad Autonoma Chapingo during 2018 and 2019 with the objective of determining the relationship between chemical fertilization in sorghum and M. sacchari/sorghi (Hemiptera: Aphididae) populations. Different levels of nitrogen (125, 250 and 500 kg ha-1), phosphorus (19.5, 39 and 78 kg ha-1) and potassium (210 and 420 kg ha-1) were supplied to sorghum plants planted in polyethylene pots with a capacity of 6 L under greenhouse conditions. The plants were infested with a total of 15 third-instar nymphs within 60 days of crop emergence. A total of 6 samplings were carried out at 7 day intervals, starting at 7 d after the infestation. Quantifications of total soluble proteins, total soluble sugars, reducing sugars, and levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium in leaf tissue were also performed. We observed that higher doses of nitrogen and phosphorus increased the aphid population, while increasing the potassium dose considerably decreased the aphid population. We also found a positive correlation between the aphid population and the total soluble protein concentrations, reducing sugars and nitrogen levels, while the correlation was negative with potassium levels in leaves.