Data related to Oriental armyworm performance in silicon-supplemented maize plants.

Maize is a critical component of global food security; however, pests like
the oriental armyworm (Mythimna separata Walker) cause significant yield
losses to this crop. Conventional control approaches for managing this
insect rely on pesticide applications, which pose environmental risks and
can lead to pest resistance. Thus, the necessity for alternative
management strategies is emphasized. Silicon (Si) is proposed as a
pesticide substitute due to its ability to mitigate a plethora of biotic
and abiotic stresses in plants. To evaluate the effectiveness of Si in
controlling the armyworm, maize plants were treated with three Si
concentrations (T1: 500 mg/L, T2: 750 mg/L, T3: 1000 mg/L) and then
infested with armyworm larvae. The performance of the insect pest was
assessed by evaluating its larval feeding and oviposition preference,
mandibular morphology, survival rates, and weight gain. Results showed a
mean larval survival rate of 63% in T3 plants compared to 96% in control.
The weight of larvae fed on control leaves was twice that of those fed on
Si-treated leaves. Likewise, the incisor length of larvae fed on
Si-treated leaves was significantly shorter (177 µm) than those fed on
control leaves (447 µm). Moreover, Si-treated leaves were less favorable
for egg laying, with only 20% of eggs laid on them. These findings
indicate that Si supplementation enhances maize resistance to the
infestation of the oriental armyworm. This Si-mediated resistance of maize
plants against the oriental armyworm underscores the potential of Si
supplementation as a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides in
integrated pest management strategies.