Effects of fast and slow-wilting soybean genotypes on fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) growth and development

ABSTRACT

Soybean (Glycine max) is the most important plant protein source, and Fall Armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda) is considered a major pest. This study aimed to examine the impact of FAW feeding on soybean accessions that vary in their water use efficiency (WUE) traits, by examining FAW growth and life history parameters along with plant growth response to pest damage. Soybean accessions were grown in a greenhouse and exposed to FAW larval feeding for 48 h at three different soybean growth stages: V3, R3, and R6. The growth and development of the FAW and soybeans were monitored. Results showed that faster wilting soybean accessions grow taller and have more leaves than slower wilting accessions, but yield was higher in slower wilting soybean accessions. FAW experienced the highest mortality on mid-stage (R3) soybean plants, but they gained the least mass on early stage (V3) soybean plants. These results can assist in better understanding plant insect-interactions at different life stages in both soybean and FAW with implications for management.

KEYWORDS:

• Canopy wilting
• water use efficiency
• fall armyworm
• mass gain
• mortality
• pupal mass

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge Brandon Wodka at the Rosen Green House facility at the University of Arkansas.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

Conceptualization, J.A. (Jessica Ayala) & R.K. (Rupesh Kariyat); methodology, J.A (Jessica Ayala), E.M (Evelyn Madrigal) and R.K. (Rupesh Kariyat); validation, formal analysis, J.A. (Jessica Ayala) & R.K. (Rupesh Kariyat); investigation, J.A (Jessica Ayala), A.V. (Alejandro Vasquez), E.M (Evelyn Madrigal) & D.B. (Devi Balakrishnan); resources, R.K. (Rupesh Kariyat) and J.G. (Justin George); data curation, J.A. (Jessica Ayala), E.M (Evelyn Madrigal) & R.K. (Rupesh Kariyat); writing – original draft preparation, J.A. (Jessica Ayala); writing – review and editing, R.K. (Rupesh Kariyat), A.V. (Alejandro Vasquez), D.B. (Devi Balakrishnan), J.G. (Justin George); supervision, R.K. (Rupesh Kariyat); project administration, R.K. (Rupesh Kariyat); funding acquisition, R.K. (Rupesh Kariyat) & J.G. (Justin George). All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Data availability statement

All data will be made available on request.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the startup funds received by Rupesh Kariyat from the Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas.Partial funding was also received through USDA Non assistance cooperative agreement # 58-6066-3-053.