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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Plant Pathology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #243647
Title: Effects of light intensity on Tropical Soda Apple and the consequences for performance of its biological control agent, Gratiana boliviana (Chrysomelidae).

Author
item DIAZ, R. - University Of Florida
item OVERHOLT, W. A. - University Of Florida
item WHEELER, E. - University Of Florida
item Rosskopf, Erin
item AGUIRRE, C. - Zamorano, Panamerican School Of Agriculture

Submitted to: Florida Entomological Society Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/11/2011
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The current research was directed at determining the impact of light intensity on the architecture, amino acid content and trichome density and characteristics of Tropical Soda Apple (TSA), Solanum viarum (Solanaceae). TSA plants were grown in a greenhouse either covered with a shade cloth (75% blockage) or under open conditions. Plants from the shade conditions had larger leaves, greater amino acid content, and lower trichome density than plants grown in the open. The impact of these differences on the performance of Gratiana boliviana reproduction and growth was also characterized. Immatures had shorter development time and greater survival, and adults had higher fecundity on plants under shade than those reared under open conditions.