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The Beneficial Effects of Soluble Silicon Fertilizer in Dendrobium Orchids: Silicon-Augmented Resistance against Damage by Insect Pests and Fungal Pathogens
Bloese, J.; Galanti, R.; Porter, R.; Know, T. The Beneficial Effects of Soluble Silicon Fertilizer in Dendrobium Orchids: Silicon-Augmented Resistance against Damage by Insect Pests and Fungal Pathogens. Insects2024, 15, 323.
Bloese, J.; Galanti, R.; Porter, R.; Know, T. The Beneficial Effects of Soluble Silicon Fertilizer in Dendrobium Orchids: Silicon-Augmented Resistance against Damage by Insect Pests and Fungal Pathogens. Insects 2024, 15, 323.
Bloese, J.; Galanti, R.; Porter, R.; Know, T. The Beneficial Effects of Soluble Silicon Fertilizer in Dendrobium Orchids: Silicon-Augmented Resistance against Damage by Insect Pests and Fungal Pathogens. Insects2024, 15, 323.
Bloese, J.; Galanti, R.; Porter, R.; Know, T. The Beneficial Effects of Soluble Silicon Fertilizer in Dendrobium Orchids: Silicon-Augmented Resistance against Damage by Insect Pests and Fungal Pathogens. Insects 2024, 15, 323.
Abstract
The effects of soluble silicon fertilization on monocots and dicots have been widely studied. However, little is known regarding its effects on protecting epiphytes against insect and fungal pests. The efficacy of silicon fertilizer to reduce damage by thrip pest complexes, namely: Thrips palmi Karny, Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande, Chaetanaphothrips orchidii Moulton, and Chaetanaphothrips signipennis Bagnall (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), and fungal pathogens: Botrytis cinerea Persoon (Helotiales: Sclerotiniaceae) and Fusarium spp. Link (Hypocreales: Nectriaceae) was examined during a nine-month greenhouse trial in Hawaii. The trial assessed yield, quality, and pest damage across three common varieties of dendrobiums. All replicates received additional soluble silicon fertilizer applications alternating weekly between soil drench and foliar (50 mg Si/plant) applications. Yield, quality, and spray length, pest damage, plant vigor, SPAD, and leaf temperature were measured. Data were analyzed using a generalized linear model (glm) with repeated measures followed by post-hoc pair-wise comparisons in R, version 4.3.1. Treatment effects were significant at P
Keywords
Thrips palmi; melon thrips; silicon; Fertilizer; Nutrient Management; Western flower thrips; Frankliniella occidentalis; Dendrobium; Orchid; Fusarium spp.; Integrated Pest Management
Subject
Biology and Life Sciences, Insect Science
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.