Effect of Various Vermicompost-Tea Concentrations on Life Table Parameters of Macrosiphumrosae L. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on Rose (Rosa hybrida L.) Flower

Abstract

The life table parameters of Macrosiphum rosae L. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on five vermicompost-tea (tea-compost) concentrations (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%) and control treatment (0%) on Rosa hybrida L. were determined under laboratory conditions. There were significant differences among pre-imaginal period and adult longevity of the aphid on the five teacompost concentrations. The highest mortality occurred at first nymphal instar on all treatments. The life expectancy (ex) of one-day-old adults was estimated to be 30, 35, 37, 40, 42 and 20 days on various tea-compost concentrations and control treatment, respectively. The net reproductive rate (R0) significantly differed on different treatments, which was the highest on control (29.12±2.21 female offspring) and lowest on 100% of tea-compost concentration (15.47±2.12 female offspring). The highest and lowest values of the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) were 0.736±0.171 day-1 (on control) and 0.105±0.005 day-1 (on 100% treatment), respectively. The finite rate of increase (?) varied from 1.101±0.143 day-1 (on 100% treatment) to 1.853±0.001 day-1 (on control). Doubling time ranged from 1.806±0.023 (on control) to 4.587±0.161 days (on 100% treatment). The longest mean generation time (T) of the rose aphid was obtained on 100% treatment. The results showed that the 100% of tea-compost concentration had the highest antibiotic effect on population growth of Macrosiphum rosae.