Acta Entomologica Sinica ›› 2016, Vol. 59 ›› Issue (2): 227-238.doi: 10.16380/j.kcxb.2016.02.013

• RESEARCH PAPERS • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Efficiency of UV-absorbing film in the management of pest insects and its effects on the growth and quality of eggplants

ZHU Liang, WANG Ze-Hua, GONG Ya-Jun, REN Zhong-Hu, JIN Gui-Hua, CHEN Jin-Cui, WEI Shu-Jun*   

  1. (Institute of Plant and Environmental Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China)
  • Online:2016-02-20 Published:2016-02-20

Abstract: 【Aim】 UV-absorbing film can absorb light below 380 nm wavelength to affect the vision response of insects and shows potential in pest management. This study aims to assess the feasibility of the physical control approach. 【Methods】 We compared the population dynamics of three main pests (Frankliniella occidentalis, Bemisia tabaci, and Myzus persicae) on eggplants (Solanum melongena), as well as the growth of plants and quality of fruits, between the UV-absorbing greenhouse and the common greenhouse (the control). 【Results】 The maximum population density of F. occidentalis, B. tabaci, andM. persicae in the UV-absorbing greenhouse was only 44.3%, 50.4% and 37.5% of that in the common greenhouse, respectively (P<0.05). In addition, the plant height increased insignificantly (P>0.05), the yield, fruit weight and circumference of eggplants decreased, and fruit color of eggplant was lighter in the UV-absorbing greenhouse compared to the control. The contents of ascorbic acid, soluble carbohydrate, titratable acid, crude fat and anthocyanin in the eggplant fruits in the UV-absorbing greenhouse decreased and the contents of Ca, K, Cu and Zn in the UV-absorbing greenhouse increased significantly in particular period as compared to the control (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Our research indicated that UV-absorbing approach could restrain the population increase of the three main pests on eggplant in the greenhouse significantly. However, this approach has negative effects on the growth of plant and quality of fruits. Further research is needed to evaluate this approach in cultivars of eggplants and other vegetables in future.

Key words: UV-absorbing film, pest of eggplant, vegetative growth, reproductive growth, fruit quality