Effects of flower thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on nutritional quality of banana (Zingiberales: Musaceae) buds

Abstract

The abundance of banana flower thrips (Thrips hawaiiensis Morgan) in a banana (Musa acuminata Colla “Williams” cultivar) plantation was investigated using yellow sticky traps (29.70 cm × 21.00 cm) in 2015. Banana flower thrips occurred throughout the year with monthly variation, and the maximum occurrence was observed in October and November during the bud burst (73.80 ± 6.32 adults/trap) and young fruit (70.06 ± 5.69 adults/trap) periods. The damage rates were as follows: interior flowers >3rd-layer flowers > 2nd-layer flowers > 1st-layer flowers > young fruits. This result indicates that thrips migrated to lower bracts, young fruits, and other flower buds as bracts gradually opened. Results also showed that the reducing sugar, vitamin C, protein and ash contents in thrips-damaged flowers were all significantly lower than those in undamaged flowers, while there was no significant difference between damaged and undamaged young banana fruit. Our results indicated that the abundances of banana flower thrips were closely associated with the growing stage of banana. Thrips mainly infested flower buds and caused a reduction in nutrients for the host plant, especially the reducing sugar and vitamin C contents, which reduced the nutritional quality of banana fruits and the quality of flower bud by-products of banana.

Anatomical and Biochemical Traits Associated with Field Resistance of Onion Cultivars to Onion Thrips and the Effect of Mechanical Injury on the Level of Biochemical Compounds in Onion Leaves

“…Johari et al [88] noted that the level of carbohydrates in chili leaves attacked by thrips was reduced by 2.5% in comparison to uninfested leaves. A decrease in the concentration of reducing sugars in banana flowers damaged by banana flower thrips, Thrips hawaiiensis Morgan was reported by Yu et al [89]. In our study, onion thrips affected the nutritional quality of the onion leaves by reducing the content of total soluble sugars and sucrose in all tested cultivars, from 7% to 29.7%, while the contents of reducing sugars varied depending on the cultivar-ranging from an increase of more than 59% to a decrease of 13%.…”

Evaluation of Cowpea F2 Population for Resistance to Flower Bud Thrips (Megalurothrips sjostedti)

“…Thrips (Megalurothrips sjostedti) are responsible for significant financial loss concerning cowpea production in the world. They infect buds, racemes, and flowers, causing the reproductive organs to abort prematurely [16]. A variety of insect pests and diseases, inadequate agronomic techniques, and the use of low yielding cultivars are all implicated for the low output [17].…”

Bagging and non‐bagging treatment on the dissipation and residue of four mixed application pesticides on banana fruit

“…which affects the yield and commercial value of the fruit. [10][11][12][13][14] To effectively prevent and control disease and insect pests on bananas, insecticides, and fungicides are usually mixed and applied 1-2 times before cutting the banana bud. 11 Spray treatment after bagging of fruit trees has been reported to reduce the direct contact of fruits with pesticides and the primitive accumulation of pesticides, thus decreasing pesticide residues in fruits.…”