Spatio-temporal modeling of Rhopalosiphum padi (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Aphidius platensis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in susceptible and Aphid-resistant wheat genotypes

• Grant number: 21/02722-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2021
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Wesley Augusto Conde Godoy
• Grantee: Eduardo Engel
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Host Company: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ)
• Associated research grant: 18/02317-5 - Center for Excellence in Biological Control, AP.PCPE

Abstract

Wheat is among the main sources of food for humanity, serving as a basis for feeding about 35% of the world population. Annually, the wheat crops are significantly affected by the occurrence of Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) that transmit phyto viruses. One of the main species of Aphids in winter cereals is Rhopalosiphum padi L., an efficient vector for the Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV). In Brazil, this virus is known as the yellow dwarf virus (VNAC), a pathogen capable of impacting wheat crop productivity by up to 60%. Among the main natural enemies of R. padi in Brazil is the parasitoid Aphidius platensis (Brèthes) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Despite its natural occurrence, little is known about its synchrony and control potential for R. padi, besides its effect on the spread of BYDV, especially regarding the dynamics of population fluctuation influenced by temporal climatic variations. In this sense, the objective of this project will be (I) to statistically model the temporal dynamics of A. platensis and R. padi throughout the year in order to investigate temporal risk zones for wheat culture based on host-parasitoid synchrony; (II) statistically model the spatial dynamics of R. padi and BYDV in wheat genotypes with different levels of resistance to this aphid, considering the effects of air temperature and the presence of A. platensis. (AU)