ARTICLES

Characterization of Lesser Cornstalk Borer Injury to the Root-Hypocotyl Region of Peanut Plants1

Authors: T. P. Mack , L. D. Buckelew , C. M. Peterson

  • Characterization of Lesser Cornstalk Borer Injury to the Root-Hypocotyl Region of Peanut Plants1

    ARTICLES

    Characterization of Lesser Cornstalk Borer Injury to the Root-Hypocotyl Region of Peanut Plants1

    Authors: , ,

Abstract

Lesser cornstalk borer, Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), larval injury to the root-hypocotyl region of greenhouse-reared Florunner peanut, Arachis hypogaea L., plants was investigated by determining the size and distribution of feeding sites. The percent injury to periderm, cortex, phloem, and xylem tissues also was estimated. Tissue loss due to insect feeding was measured for only the most prominent of several wound sites on each stem axis. Percent injury to principal tissues was estimated by planimetric methods.

The lesser cornstalk borer caused significant injury to the periderm, cortex, and the phloem on mainstems of peanut plants. Mean percent injury was 31.67% for the periderm and cortex, 16.78% for phloem, and only 0.19% for the xylem. Approximately 91% of all feeding sites occurred on the mainstem or were contiguous with the mainstem and a branch. The frequently of plants with feeding sites declined linearly with increasing number of sites. These data support the hypothesis that root growth declines with increasing larval injury to phloem and xylem (food and water conducting tissues, respectively) in the root-hypocotyl region.

Keywords: Economic injury level, insect injury, phloem and xylem destruction

How to Cite:

Mack, T. & Buckelew, L. & Peterson, C., (1990) “Characterization of Lesser Cornstalk Borer Injury to the Root-Hypocotyl Region of Peanut Plants1”, Peanut Science 17(2), p.58-61. doi: https://doi.org/10.3146/10.3146/ps.482

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Published on
01 Jul 1990
Peer Reviewed

Author Notes

1Partially funded by USDA grant no. 88341033260, and a grant from the Alabama Peanut Producers Association. Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. 17902435P.