Effect of nitrogen fertilisation on biology, life table parameters and population abundance of greenbug; Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Understanding the relationship between fertilisation and pest’s reproductive potential is an essential knowledge for fertilisation and pest management in modern agroecosystems. Hence, the influence of wheat nitrogen nutrition on biology and life table of greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) was studied under laboratory conditions (25 ± 1 °C, 70 ± 10% RH and 16:8 L:D). Plants are treated with four nitrogen concentration levels of 0, 50, 100 and 150% of the normal nitrogen complement. The increase in nitrogen fertilisation resulted in increasing in the percentage of soluble nitrogen concentration in plants. Nitrogen had no effect on pre- and post-reproductive periods but significant effects were observed on reproduction period, adult longevity and fecundity. Statistical analysis demonstrated aphid’s feeding on plants treated with higher fertilisation significantly had higher R0 , DT, T, and r m. Greenhouse experiments showed number of wingless aphids on treated wheat plants significantly increased with i...