Data related to Oriental armyworm performance in silicon-supplemented maize plants.
Data files
Mar 20, 2025 version files 27.54 KB
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Armyworm_Data.xlsx
24.99 KB
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README.md
2.54 KB
Abstract
Maize is a critical component of global food security; however, pests like the oriental armyworm (Mythimna separata Walker) cause significant yield losses to this crop. Conventional control approaches for managing this insect rely on pesticide applications, which pose environmental risks and can lead to pest resistance. Thus, the necessity for alternative management strategies is emphasized. Silicon (Si) is proposed as a pesticide substitute due to its ability to mitigate a plethora of biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. To evaluate the effectiveness of Si in controlling the armyworm, maize plants were treated with three Si concentrations (T1: 500 mg/L, T2: 750 mg/L, T3: 1000 mg/L) and then infested with armyworm larvae. The performance of the insect pest was assessed by evaluating its larval feeding and oviposition preference, mandibular morphology, survival rates, and weight gain. Results showed a mean larval survival rate of 63% in T3 plants compared to 96% in control. The weight of larvae fed on control leaves was twice that of those fed on Si-treated leaves. Likewise, the incisor length of larvae fed on Si-treated leaves was significantly shorter (177 µm) than those fed on control leaves (447 µm). Moreover, Si-treated leaves were less favorable for egg laying, with only 20% of eggs laid on them. These findings indicate that Si supplementation enhances maize resistance to the infestation of the oriental armyworm. This Si-mediated resistance of maize plants against the oriental armyworm underscores the potential of Si supplementation as a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides in integrated pest management strategies.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.g1jwstr2c
Description of the data and file structure
Maize plants received different silicon (Si) concentrations (0–1000 mg/L orthosilicic acid) via Hoagland’s solution. Silicon was quantified within plants using the Dai method. Larvae were collected from maize fields and reared under controlled conditions, feeding on maize leaves. Moths were raised in cages, and experiments were conducted after three generations.
No-choice feeding tests assessed larval food preference, weight gain, survival, and oviposition behavior. Mandible wear was analyzed via microscopy. Antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, CAT, POX) was measured in maize leaves.
Files and variables
File: Armyworm_Data.xlsx
Sheet: Silicon
Description: Effect of Silicon (Si) on the shoot Si concentration (mg/g od Dryweight) in the four treatments. DW = dry weight
Variables:
Treatment
Concentration (mg/g DW)
Sheet: Leaf_area_consumed (cm2)
Description: Effect of Silicon (Si) on the shoot Si concentration (mg/g od Dryweight) in the four treatments.
Variables: Leaf area consumed (cm2)
Treatment
D1: Day 1
D2: Day 2
D3: Day 3
Sheet: Larval_survival
Description: Survival of armyworm larvae fed on maize leaves supplemented with different Si concentrations.
Variables:
Treatment
Number of larvae survived
Sheet: Oviposition_Preference
Description: Pair-wise comparisons between the proportions of armyworm eggs found on the leaves of control (C) and three Si treatments (T1, T2, and T3).
Variables: Oviposition preference
Pair
Treatment
No. of eggs on each plant group in a pair
Total no. of eggs on each pair
Proportion of eggs on each plant group in a pair on each plant group
Percentage of eggs on each plant group in a pair
Sheet: Antiox_Enzymes
Description: Effect of different silicon concentrations on antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, CAT and POX).
Variables: Antioxidant Enzymes
Treatment
POX (units/g FW)
SOD (units/g FW)
CAT (units/ g FW)
Sheet: Larval_weight
Description: Weight gain of the armyworm larvae fed on maize leaves.
Variables:
Treatment
initial weight (mg)
final weight (mg)
Weight gain (mg)
Sheet: Incisor_Length
Description: Incisor length of armyworm larvae fed on maize leaves
Variables:
Treatment
Incisor Length (µm)
Code/software
Microsoft Excel.xlsx
Access information
NA
Maize plants (SMC-5 variety) were grown in a greenhouse under a completely randomized design with four silicon (Si) treatments (0, 500, 750, 1000 mg/L). Si accumulation was quantified using a colorimetric assay. Mythimna separata larvae, collected from maize fields, were reared under controlled conditions. No-choice feeding assays measured larval biomass and survival, while dual-choice oviposition assays recorded egg counts. Mandibles of larvae fed Si-treated leaves were imaged using stereo zoom and scanning electron microscopy to assess incisor wear. Antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, CAT, POX) in maize leaves was determined using phosphate buffer homogenization and spectrophotometry.