Correlation-Based Network Analysis of the Influence of Bemisia tabaci Feeding on Photosynthesis and Foliar Sugar and Starch Composition in Soybean

Abstract

Bemisia tabaci (MEAM1) represents a species of economic importance in soybean. One of the obstacles to the management of B. tabaci is the quantification of damage by the pest because damage is indirectly inferred through losses in productivity. The objective of this study was to characterize the influence of B. tabaci feeding on soybean by assessing effects on photosynthetic parameters and the sugar and starch content of soybean leaves. The goal was to identify the optimal parameter to directly quantify pest damage on crop yield. Correlation networks were created among data on sugar content (fructose, glucose, and sucrose), starch and photosynthetic parameters (initial fluorescence, performance index on absorption basis, and turn-over number), and the number of nymphs at each of three infestations level (low, medium, and high) during both the vegetative and reproductive stage of the crop. In general, nymphs were more abundant during the vegetative stage. Starch content was strongly correlated with nymph density. A strong positive correlation was observed between fructose and nymph density during the vegetative stage. Among the photosynthetic parameters, the turn-over number N was positively correlated with nymph density at a low-infestation level and negatively correlated with nymphs when they occurred at a high-infestation level. B. tabaci feeding affected the plant’s physiology and its interaction is reflected in part by the relationships among photosynthetic parameters as well as the levels of sugars and starch. This understanding might be useful in developing better monitoring tools for pest management.

Population changes of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on different colored poinsettia leaves with different trichome densities and chemical compositions

“…These results indicated that the green leaf stage of poinsettia was more susceptible to B. tabaci , and the population growth of B. tabaci at this stage was due to its greater offspring, female sex ratio, and survival rate, rather than an altered development period. Schutze et al (2022) reported that the B. tabaci population density is higher during the vegetative stage of soybean; consistent with that finding, the green leaf stage was the vegetative stage of poinsettia, too. In other work, Neto et al (2008) examined how the morphological characteristics of cotton mutant lines affected whitefly: the mutant with red plant characteristics (red-leaf) was less preferred for oviposition than the normal green-leaf cotton.…”

“…The fecundity, survival rate, developmental time, female proportion, density of leaf trichomes, content of soluble sugars, anthocyanin, and free amino acids were analyzed using independent-samples and/or paired t -test at a significance level of α = 0.05 (Zhang et al 2022). Multiple comparisons of means were assessed by Tukey's HSD test at a significance level of α = 0.05 (Schutze et al 2022). The volatile components' relative percentages were calculated based on GC-derived peak areas (without applying any correction factors).…”

Can Macrolophus pygmaeus (Hemiptera: Miridae) Mitigate the Damage Caused to Plants by Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)?

“…Initially, a leaf in the middle third of each plant was dark-adapted for at least 20 min with detachable leaf clips. Next, the device emitted a saturation pulse through a beam of light, which was read by the device when reflected [ 49 ]. The parameter considered in our experiment was F V /F M , which is the ratio of the variable to the maximum fluorescence after dark-adaptation, which provides information on the functioning of photosystem II (PSII), representing the maximum quantum yield of PSII [ 50 ].…”

“…The LA and RA of plants were expressed in square centimeters (cm 2 ) and determined by ImageJ software (Wayne Rasband—Services Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA), which processed the pictures taken by a digital camera (Nikon D850 45.4 megapixel). To monitor the stress state of the plants, ICC and CF were performed monthly for the duration of the test [ 49 ].…”

Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) Management (WFM) Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture: A Review

“…[88] Soybeans Brazil Reduction in grain weight (33 g/1000 grains) and loss in protein contents (440 kg/ha) were recorded. [89] Snap bean Georgia Up to 45% of snap bean was lost due to whiteflies infestation. [90] Squash Georgia Up to 35% of the squash was lost due to whiteflies infestation.…”