The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on consumption rate of leptinotarsa decemlineata say. (Coleoptera:chrysomelidae)

It is clear that there is a need for alternative methods of control against Leptinotarsa decemlineata, the most important pest of potatoes because of its ability to develop resistance to chemical insecticides . In this study, it is aimed to determine whether arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) application is effective on the mineral levels of potato plant and consequently to increase tolerance and resistance of potato plant to L. decemlineata due to its various benefits. The study was carried out in a climate room with 25±2°C temperature, 60±10% relative humidity and 16 hours lighting conditions. Population performance and the consumption rate of L. decemlineata were investigated on potato plants (Granola cultivar) treated with Funelliformis mosseae arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and synthetic fertilizer, and untreated plants of the same cultivars. Results showed that, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) affected development, reproduction and consumption rate of the pest. The life history raw data were analyzed using the age-stage, two-sex life table. The net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) valuse obtained on pants treated with AMF were lower than thats of plants treated with synthetic fertilizer. There were differences in concentrations of mineral in potato leaves, and mineral content of potato leaves explained 38% of the variation in developmental time and 40% of the variation in reproduction among the treatments. The variations in the consumption rate of first and fourth larval stages of the pest were 41 and 34, respectively.