DOI: 10.5061/dryad.g1jwstr2c
title: Data related to Oriental armyworm performance in silicon-supplemented maize plants.

description: 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.
description: Maize plants (SMC-5 variety) were grown in a greenhouse under a
 completely randomized design with four silicon (Si) treatments (0, 500,
 750, 1000 mg/L). Si accumulation was quantified using a colorimetric
 assay. <em>Mythimna separata</em> larvae, collected from maize
 fields, were reared under controlled conditions. No-choice feeding assays
 measured larval biomass and survival, while dual-choice oviposition assays
 recorded egg counts. Mandibles of larvae fed Si-treated leaves were imaged
 using stereo zoom and scanning electron microscopy to assess incisor wear.
 Antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, CAT, POX) in maize leaves was determined
 using phosphate buffer homogenization and spectrophotometry.
description: # Data related to Oriental armyworm performance in silicon-supplemented
 maize plants Dataset DOI:
 [10.5061/dryad.g1jwstr2c](10.5061/dryad.g1jwstr2c) ## Description of the
 data and file structure Maize plants received different silicon (Si)
 concentrations (0–1000 mg/L orthosilicic acid) via Hoagland’s solution.
 Silicon was quantified within plants using the Dai method. Larvae were
 collected from maize fields and reared under controlled conditions,
 feeding on maize leaves. Moths were raised in cages, and experiments were
 conducted after three generations. No-choice feeding tests assessed larval
 food preference, weight gain, survival, and oviposition behavior. Mandible
 wear was analyzed via microscopy. Antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, CAT,
 POX) was measured in maize leaves. ### Files and variables #### File:
 Armyworm\_Data.xlsx ##### Sheet: Silicon **Description:** Effect of
 Silicon (Si) on the shoot Si concentration (mg/g od Dryweight) in the four
 treatments. DW = dry weight Variables: Treatment Concentration (mg/g DW)
 ##### Sheet: Leaf\_area\_consumed (cm2) **Description:** Effect of Silicon
 (Si) on the shoot Si concentration (mg/g od Dryweight) in the four
 treatments. Variables: Leaf area consumed (cm2) Treatment D1: Day 1 D2:
 Day 2 D3: Day 3 ##### Sheet: Larval\_survival **Description:** Survival of
 armyworm larvae fed on maize leaves supplemented with different Si
 concentrations. Variables: Treatment Number of larvae survived #####
 Sheet: Oviposition\_Preference **Description:** Pair-wise comparisons
 between the proportions of armyworm eggs found on the leaves of control
 (C) and three Si treatments (T1, T2, and T3). Variables: Oviposition
 preference Pair Treatment No. of eggs on each plant group in a pair Total
 no. of eggs on each pair Proportion of eggs on each plant group in a pair
 on each plant group Percentage of eggs on each plant group in a pair #####
 Sheet: Antiox\_Enzymes **Description:** Effect of different silicon
 concentrations on antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, CAT and POX).
 Variables: Antioxidant Enzymes  Treatment POX (units/g FW) SOD (units/g
 FW) CAT (units/ g FW) ##### Sheet: Larval\_weight **Description**: Weight
 gain of the armyworm larvae fed on maize leaves.  Variables: Treatment
 initial weight (mg) final weight (mg) Weight gain (mg) ##### Sheet:
 Incisor\_Length **Description:** Incisor length of armyworm larvae fed on
 maize leaves Variables: Treatment Incisor Length (µm) ## Code/software
 Microsoft Excel.xlsx ## Access information NA