ABSTRACT. Given the high demand for food worldwide, options for maximizing food production with minimum environmental impact are needed. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of silicon (Si) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) in the vegetative development and genetic stability of rice plants, BRSMG Caravera cultivar. The treatments used were T1 - Control group (without Si and MeJA); T2 - Tween foliar; and T3 - Si drench, T4 - MeJA foliar, and T5 - Si drench + MeJA foliar. The use of Si or Si + MeJA promoted an increase in the height, relative chlorophyll index (RCI), and fresh and dry masses, in addition to a greater Si accumulation in the plants. However, there was no difference in the quantity of DNA or in the coefficient of variation (CV) among the treatments, proving the use of silicon separately or in combination with methyl jasmonate contributed to the vegetative development and did not affect the genetic stability of the plants.

Se evaluaron los efectos de los inductores químicos de resistencia de plantas a insectos en los escarabajos hebívoros y otros insectos depredadores en Solanum tuberosum. Los efectos de estos inductores químicos también se evaluaron en el desarrollo y en el rendimientos del cultivo. El experimento se llevó a cabo con el cv. Emeraude, utilizando un diseño de bloques al azar con cuatro tratamientos y seis repeticiones: 1 - Control, 2 - 1% de ácido silícico, 3 -0,02% acibenzolar-s-metil (ASM), y 4 - 1,15% tierra de diatomeas (DE). Los tratamientos 2, 3 y 4 se aplicaron por aspersión en el follaje de las plantas cada 10 días, un total de cinco aplicaciones. Se evaluaron las lesiones y los daños causados por Diabrotica speciosa. No hubo diferencias significativas en la presencia de D. speciosa y depredadores en la parte aérea de la planta y en el suelo circundante. Sin embargo, las plantas tratadas con ácido silícico o DE fueron menos preferidas por D. speciosa y el efecto asociado con ácido silícico, ASM y DE produjo un aumento significativo en el diámetro y la altura de la planta sin afectar la productividad. La aplicación de ácido silícico, ASM o DE aumentó la protección contra insectos y disminuyó los daños al tubérculo.

The effects of chemical inducers of plant resistance on folivorous beetles and predatory insects in Solarium tuberosum L. were evaluated. The effects of these chemical inducers on crop development and yield were also determined. The experiment was conducted with cv. Emeraude using a randomised complete-block design with four treatments and six replications: 1 - control; 2 - 1% silicic acid; 3 - 0.02% acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM); and 4 - 1.15% diatomaceous earth (DE). Treatments 2, 3 and 4 were applied by spraying plant foliage every 10 days, total of five applications. The injuries and damages caused by beetles were evaluated. There were no significant differences in the presence of folivorous and predatory beetles in the aerial plant mass and the surrounding soil. However, the plants treated with silica or DE were less preferred by defoliators. Spraying with silicic acid, ASM and DE produced significant increases in plant diameter and height without affecting productivity. The application of silicic acid, ASM or DE increased protection against herbivorous insects and decreased tuber damage.

A espécie Diabrotica speciosa é um crisomelídeo responsável por causar danos consideráveis à batateira, o que torna indispensável seu controle com inseticidas para minimizar os prejuízos causados à cultura. Assim, objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar os efeitos da terra diatomácea sobre o comportamento alimentar e a mortalidade de D. speciosa em batata inglesa em condições de laboratório. Adotou-se o DIC com três tratamentos e oito repetições, sendo: 1 - testemunha; 2 - TD polvilhada (0,5 g/vaso) e 3 - TD pulverizada a 1%. As batateiras, cv. Emeraude, foram polvilhadas ou pulverizadas com TD, 30 dias após o plantio e, 24 horas após a aplicação, as plantas foram fornecidas aos insetos, sem e com chance de escolha. Houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos, sendo a menor porcentagem de folíolos com injúrias observada em plantas que receberam a aplicação de TD pulverizada (teste sem chance de escolha) e TD polvilhada ou pulverizada (teste com chance de escolha). Também houve redução do número de injúrias foliares às 24 e às 48 horas (TD polvilhada ou pulverizada) e, às 72 horas, a redução foi observada somente com a aplicação da TD polvilhada. Com relação à ação inseticida da TD, foi verificado seu efeito após 48 horas, tanto via polvilhamento, quanto via pulverização. Assim, a aplicação de TD pode auxiliar no manejo de D. speciosa, contribuindo para conferir proteção às plantas de batata inglesa e aumentar a mortalidade desse inseto-praga.

The species D. speciosa is a chrysomelid responsible for causing considerable damage on potato plant, making its control with insecticides essential to minimize the damage caused to this culture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of diatomaceous earth (DE) on feeding behavior and mortality of D. speciosa in potato under laboratory conditions. A completely randomized design was used with three treatments and eight replicates being: 1 - control; 2 - sprinkled DE (0.5 g/vase) and 3 - 1% sprayed DE. The potato plants, cv. Emeraude, were sprinkled or sprayed with DE 30 days after the planting and 24 hours after the application, the plants were supplied to insects, with and without a chance of choice. There was significant difference among treatments with a lower leaflet with injury percentage observed in plants that received the application of powdered DE (tests without chance of choice) and sprinkled or powdered DE (tests without chance of choice). There was also reduction of the number of leaf injuries at 24 and 48 hours (sprinkled or powdered DE) and, at 72 hours, the reduction was only observed with the application of sprinkled DE. Regarding the insecticidal activity of TD, its effect was verified after 48 hours, through sprinkling or spraying. As a result, the application of DE may help in the management of D. speciosa, contributing to provide protection to potato plants and to increase the mortality of this insect pest.