关键词: 柠条, 种子, 昆虫寄生

Abstract: Insect infestation and its effects on seed fate of Caragana korshinskii Kom were studied in southeast edge of the Tengger Desert in 2004. The results indicate that the seed germination rate is significantly affected by insect infestation. The insect-infested seeds show a lower germination rate than that of non-infested or die rapidly even after germination. On the average, 69.7% of the total seeds are infested by insects, which is mainly involved with Kytorrhinus immxitus Motschulsky,Bruchophagus neocaragae Liao, Brchophagus philorobinae Sphov, and Etiella zinckenella Treitschke. The development and growth of seeds can also be effected by the insect parasitism through its size swelled by Kytorrhinus immxitus Motschulsky or shrunk by Etiella zinckenella Treitschke, Bruchophagus neocaragae Liao, and Bruchophagus philorobinae Sphov. Comparing with non-infested seeds, 57.64% loss in weight is caused by Kytorrhinus immxitus, Etiella zinckenella and Bruchophagus sp. accounts for 49.13%, 39.30% and 39.30%, respectively. Based on this study, it can be concluded that insect infestation is one of the main factors for regeneration of Caragana korshinskii through its effects on seeds fate.

Key words: Caragana korshinskii Kom, seed, insect infestation