Enhanced aphid infestation at motorways: the role of ambient air pollution
1987
Flückiger, M. Bolsinger & W.
A fumigation experiment, conducted at a frequented motorway, revealed a significant increase in the population development of Aphis fabae Scop. (Homoptera: Aphididae) on two main hosts, i.e. Viburnum opulus L. (Caprifoliaceae) and Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Ideal (Fabaceae), in ambient air compared to filtered air. The prevailing air pollutants, mainly constituted of NO (404 μg/m¹, daily mean) and NO₂ (210 μg/m³), seemed to have a strong impact upon the nitrogen metabolism of fumigated plants. This was reflected by the increased content of organic nitrogen in foliage and total amino acids in phloem sap. Thus, it is thought that the plant-insect interaction is imbalanced when plants are submitted to ambient air on motorways due to changes in the nutritional quality for aphids, induced indirectly by an enhanced nitrogen uptake from ambient air by the host plant.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]