Introduction of Selenium into Plant Tissues as a Toxicant for Insects and Mites

Abstract

In several expts. in which Se was supplied at varying rates to a standard nutrient soln. and to a uniform soil, different levels of Se were established in the tissues of plants grown in these media. Population studies of mites and insects were then made on these plants. An accumulation of 100 ppm. of Se in the tissues of plants studied prevented the development of infestations of Tetranychus telarius and concs. of 50 ppm. inhibited the development of infestations of the black chrysanthemum aphid, Macrosiphionella sanborni. The amt. of Se required in the media to produce these results varied with the plant spp. and with the type of media used.