Transgenic maize with cry1Ab gene is resistant to target insect – Ostrinia nubilalis (Hbn.). Among non-target herbivorous insects, the rose-grain aphid (Metopolophium dirhodum Walk.) is one of known cereal aphid species. The aim of this study was to assess the behaviour and bionomy of M. dirhodum on three maize cultivars: transgenic (YG), isogenic (ISO) and conventional Bosman in greenhouse and laboratory conditions. To assess aphids preference to maize cultivars the “free choice test” was performed. The number of aphids that settled on preferred plants (at the 4-leaf stage) of various maize cultivars was counted after 24 and 48 h. For the next 8 days new-born nymphs and apterous aphids were counted. Bionomy parameters of females were evaluated on leaves cut from various cultivars and closed in Münger cages. This study was performed in growth chambers using single aphid as one replication. In greenhouse bioassay screens (“free choice test”) the negative impact of transgenic maize on aphids wasn’t stated. However on YG plants the rate of M. dirhodum population development was slower. Similarly, in laboratory tests, aphids that fed on YG plants had lower fecundity, shorter longevity and reproductive period than those fed on ISO and Bosman cvs. This suggests that among cultivars assessed, for some reason the maize plants of YG cv. are the most antibiotic to M. dirhodum.
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