Tolerance of wheat to Russian wheat aphids: Nitrogen fertilization reduces yield loss

Abstract

Abstract The influence of nitrogen nutrition and Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia Mordvilko) infestation on morphology and grain yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was studied in growth chamber experiments. Plants were grown with nutrient solution containing 100, 50, 10, or 0 percent of the normal complement of nitrogen. Plants were infested with eight apterous adult Russian wheat aphids at the flag leaf stage (approximately 53 days after planting). The aphids remained on the plant for a period of 25 days. Aphid infestation reduced mature plant height across all nutrient solution nitrogen concentrations tested. Grain yield was reduced by aphid infestation under all nutrient solution nitrogen concentrations except 0 percent. However, the percentage of yield loss caused by aphid infestation was reduced by increased levels of nitrogen in the nutrient solution. These results suggest that nitrogen fertilization might be a useful strategy for limiting yield loss caused by Russian wheat aphid in plants th...