The effect of different plant nutrient regimes on the aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae growing on petunia

Three experiments were conducted to study how nutrient content of the host plant, Petunia axillaris hybrida Villm. Grandiflora Group, affects the performance of Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) (Homoptera: Aphididae). Aphid performance was analysed in relation to plant nutrient levels and the ratio of nitrogen to potassium (N/K). Phosphorus (P) had a positive effect on several parameters of aphid performance. Both P and K were associated with a short development time but a strong correlation between P and K content made it impossible to detect their relative importance. In one experiment aphid performance was significantly lower on unfertilised plants with low N content, suggesting a positive effect of N. A high N/K ratio did not, in general, increase aphid performance. The complexity of plant nutrient content on aphid performance suggests that not only nutrient levels but also ratios of nutrients must be considered.