The objective of this study was to determine the influence of soil fertilizers on the resistance expression of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) (cultivars Rosinha G-2, ESAL-564-Carioca and Diamante Negro), to Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say, 1831) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). The grains for the tests were obtained from crop grown under different levels of N, P and K. The resistance tests were carried out under controlled conditions of temperature, light and relative humidity. It was observed the number of infested grains and the number of insect eggs in each treatment. The results of the free choice test showed that application of N, reduced the number of eggs of A. obtectus, the percentage of attracted insects and the fecundity of A. obtectus reared on genotype Rosinha G-2. When N and K were applied, resistance expression to A. obtectus was more evident on the genotypes ESAL-564 and Rosinha G-2. In a no choice test, the results showed a reduction of grain consumption with an increase on the eggs number of A. obtectus on the genotype ESAL-564, with N application. The expression of the induced resistance by N, P and K application was not evident in the genotypes ESAL-564 and Rosinha G-2. When P was not used, the insect biological cycle became longer in the presence of K.
Insecta; Bruchidae; biology; Acanthoscelides obtectus; Phaseolus vulgaris
