Wind induced mechanical stress on rice increases plant resistance against fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, but not rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus

Abiotic stresses can affect plant resistance to pest infestations. Rice plants are often exposed to high levels of wind stress over long periods of time. The principal objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of wind stress on two of the most important pest of U.S. rice: fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda and the rice water weevil Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus. Initial results show a significant negative change in the relative growth rate of fall armyworms on wind-stressed plants. However, wind stress did not yield significant results for larval emergence in rice water weevils. This opposing effect perhaps suggests a difference in the susceptibility of the two species to changes induced by wind stress. These finding ultimately support and enrich our understanding of induced resistance to pest infestations through the use of abiotic factors.