Effect of silicon on oviposition preference and biology ofBemisia tabaci(Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) feeding onGossypium hirsutum(Linnaeus)

The current experiment was conducted in greenhouse conditions to check the effect of silicon application methods (foliar and drenching), silicon sources (silicon dioxide: SiO(2)and potassium silicate: K2SiO3), and silicon concentrations (0, 200 and 400 ppm) on the oviposition preference and biology ofBemisia tabacion cotton plants. Significantly lower oviposition and increased duration of all immature stages and total cycle ofB. tabaciwas observed on plants treated with foliar silicon applications compared to the drenching silicon applications. Among silicon sources, SiO(2)significantly decreased oviposition and increased the duration of all immature stages and total cycle ofB. tabacias compared to K2SiO3. Similarly, a significantly lower oviposition and prolonged developmental period of all immature stages and total cycle ofB. tabaciwas observed on plants subjected to 200 and 400 ppm silicon concentrations compared to untreated control. Our results suggest that silicon is an eco-friendly approach to controlB. tabaciwhen applied via foliar application method in an integrated pest management program.