Honeydew Deposition by the Giant Willow Aphid (Tuberolachnus salignus) Affects Soil Biota and Soil Biochemical Properties.

ABSTRACT: Infestation of willow plants by the giant willow aphid Tuberolachnus salignus (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is associated with copious deposition of sugar-rich honeydew under the plant canopy. We explored the effect of aphid honeydew on the soil biota and biochemical indicators in a two-year field trial. Soil samples from under aphid-infested and control willow trees, as well as samples from black sooty mould spots under the aphid-infested willows were compared; soil samples before aphid inoculation were used as a baseline. The honeydew deposition had a positive effect on the total soil carbon (C), but not on the total soil nitrogen content or soil pH. Microbial biomass C, basal respiration, number of yeast colony forming units, and the geometric mean of activities for six enzymes were significan

SUBMITTER: Tun KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7469182 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature