THE EFFECTS OF SILICA FERTILIZER AS AN ANTI-HERBIVORE DEFENSE IN CUCUMBER
Author
Callis-Duehl, Kristine L.; McAUSLANE, Heather J.; DUEHL, Adrian J.; LEVEY, Douglas J.
Abstract
This study aims to improve our understanding of silicon’s role in deterring herbivores from Cucumis
sativa. We hypothesized that silicon’s role in plant defense is due to the presence of silica augmenting other physical and/or chemical defenses used by the plant. Using C. sativa plants treated with either a silica fertilizer treatment (Si+) or a control solution (Si-), we monitored feeding preferences of two types of her- bivores, a chewing herbivore (Diabrotica balteata) and a piercing/sucking herbivore (Bemisia tabaci). Leaves from treatment plants were visited less and eaten less than leaves from control plants. We then assessed the differences in physical defenses by comparing the leaf structural components, nutrient and water content, and trichome density between treatment and control plants. For chemical plant defenses, we measured leaf carbon and nitrogen levels in, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from treatment and control plants. We found no significant difference between treatment and control plants in: lignin content, most elemental plant nutrients, water content, trichome density, and quantity of carbon and nitrogen. We did see an increase in the VOC Indole, known for plant defense priming, an increase in phosphorous levels and a decrease in cellulose levels in silica treated plants.
Date
2017-06
Citation:
APA:
Callis-Duehl, Kristine L., & McAUSLANE, Heather J., & DUEHL, Adrian J., & LEVEY, Douglas J.. (June 2017).
THE EFFECTS OF SILICA FERTILIZER AS AN ANTI-HERBIVORE DEFENSE IN CUCUMBER.
,
(),
-
. Retrieved from
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/8459
MLA:
Callis-Duehl, Kristine L., and McAUSLANE, Heather J., and DUEHL, Adrian J., and LEVEY, Douglas J..
"THE EFFECTS OF SILICA FERTILIZER AS AN ANTI-HERBIVORE DEFENSE IN CUCUMBER". .
. (),
June 2017.
September 21, 2023.
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/8459.
Chicago:
Callis-Duehl, Kristine L. and McAUSLANE, Heather J. and DUEHL, Adrian J. and LEVEY, Douglas J.,
"THE EFFECTS OF SILICA FERTILIZER AS AN ANTI-HERBIVORE DEFENSE IN CUCUMBER," , no.
(June 2017),
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/8459 (accessed
September 21, 2023).
AMA:
Callis-Duehl, Kristine L., McAUSLANE, Heather J., DUEHL, Adrian J., LEVEY, Douglas J..
THE EFFECTS OF SILICA FERTILIZER AS AN ANTI-HERBIVORE DEFENSE IN CUCUMBER. .
June 2017;
():
.
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/8459. Accessed
September 21, 2023.
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