Effects of chemically contaminated sewage sludge on an aphid population

Journal Article · Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1986 · Ecology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/1939098· OSTI ID:6711621

Culliney, T W; Pimentel, D

Survival and fecundity of green peach aphids, Myzus persicae, were markedly reduced when they were fed on collard plants grown in pots of soil treated with chemically contaminated sewage sludge, as compared to populations on potted plants grown in uncontaminated sludge or on fertilized soil (control). Calculated demographic parameters differed significantly between the contaminated sludge and uncontaminated sludge populations and between the contaminated sludge and control populations. No significant differences were detected between the uncontaminated sludge and control populations. The ecological effects on the aphids suggest that plant uptake and translocation of chemicals from the contaminated sludge affected aphid fitness through direct toxicity and/or reduced nutritional value of the plant. These results indicate that phytophagous insects may be affected by chemical contaminants in sewage sludge used in agriculture.

• Research Organization: Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY
• OSTI ID: 6711621
• Journal Information: Ecology; (United States), Vol. 67:6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
APHIDS
SENSITIVITY
FOOD CHAINS
CONTAMINATION
SEWAGE SLUDGE
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
SOILS
BRASSICA
ANIMALS
ARTHROPODS
FOOD
HEMIPTERA
INSECTS
INVERTEBRATES
PLANTS
SEWAGE
SLUDGES
VEGETABLES
WASTES
510200* - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology