ABSTRACT
Plant defense pathways mediate multitrophic interactions above and belowground. Understanding the effects of these pathways on pests and natural enemies above and belowground holds great potential for designing effective control strategies. Here we investigate the effects of aboveground stimulation of plant defense pathways on the interactions between corn, the aboveground herbivore adult Diabrotica speciosa, the belowground herbivore larval D. speciosa, and the subterranean ento-mopathogenic nematode natural enemy Heterorhabditis amazonensis. We show that adult D. speciosa recruit to aboveground herbivory and methyl salicylate treatment, that larval D. speciosa are relatively indiscriminate, and that H. amazonensis en-tomopathogenic nematodes recruit to corn fed upon by adult D. speciosa. These results suggest that entomopathogenicnematodes belowground can be highly attuned to changes in the aboveground parts of plants and that biological control can be enhanced with induced plant defense in this and similar systems.
Subject(s)
Coleoptera/physiology , Zea mays/metabolism , Animals , Biological Control Agents/pharmacology , Coleoptera/drug effects , Coleoptera/growth & development , Herbivory , Larva/drug effects , Larva/physiology , Nematoda/physiology , Predatory Behavior/physiology , Salicylates/pharmacology , Zea mays/parasitologyABSTRACT
Plant defense pathways play a critical role in mediating tritrophic interactions between plants, herbivores, and natural enemies. While the impact of plant defense pathway stimulation on natural enemies has been extensively explored aboveground, belowground ramifications of plant defense pathway stimulation are equally important in regulating subterranean pests and still require more attention. Here we investigate the effect of aboveground stimulation of the salicylic acid pathway through foliar application of the elicitor methyl salicylate on belowground recruitment of the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema diaprepesi. Also, we implicate a specific root-derived volatile that attracts S. diaprepesi belowground following aboveground plant stimulation by an elicitor. In four-choice olfactometer assays, citrus plants treated with foliar applications of methyl salicylate recruited S. diaprepesi in the absence of weevil feeding as compared with negative controls. Additionally, analysis of root volatile profiles of citrus plants receiving foliar application of methyl salicylate revealed production of d-limonene, which was absent in negative controls. The entomopathogenic nematode S. diaprepesi was recruited to d-limonene in two-choice olfactometer trials. These results reinforce the critical role of plant defense pathways in mediating tritrophic interactions, suggest a broad role for plant defense pathway signaling belowground, and hint at sophisticated plant responses to pest complexes.
Subject(s)
Rhabditida/drug effects , Salicylates/pharmacology , Animals , Biological Assay , Food Chain , Herbivory/drug effects , Plant Roots/metabolism , Salicylates/metabolism , Volatile Organic Compounds/metabolismABSTRACT
Studies with botanical insecticides have become more popular as an alternative to Integrated Pest Management. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of leaf and fruit aqueous extracts, from the species Clibadium sylvestre, and leaves and root of Derris amazonica species at concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 percent, in the control of the aphid Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Four experiments were conducted; two tests with choice preference and two tests with no choice preference, giving nine treatments and five repetitions. Phytochemical screening was carried out from the leaves and fruit of the species C. sylvestre and leaves and root of D. amazonica. Evaluations of mortality, number of nymphs, and deterrence index of the insects were conducted 24, 48 and 72 h after the application of the extracts. The aqueous extracts tested from C. sylvestre fruit concentrations had the highest mortality compared to the control; in the analysis of the number of the nymphs, the aqueous extract from fruit at 8 percent concentration had a higher efficiency than the other treatments. The D. amazonica leaves extract at 1 percent concentration showed the highest mortality and the lowest number of nymphs. The D. amazonica root extracts increased mortality at all concentrations tested, and the 8 percent concentration had the fewest nymphs. All treatments showed a deterrent effect. The 72 h period showed the greatest effect of the extracts, on two species of insects.
Estudos com inseticidas botânicos vêm ganhando espaço como alternativa no Manejo Integrado de Pragas. Conduziu-se este trabalho com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de extratos aquosos de folhas e frutos da espécie Clibadium sylvestre, e folhas e raízes da espécie Derris amazonica nas concentrações 0, 1, 2, 4 e 8 por cento, no controle do pulgão Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Foram conduzidos quatro ensaios, dois testes de preferência sem chance de escolha e dois testes de preferência com chance de escolha, totalizando nove tratamentos com cinco repetições. Foi realizada a triagem fitoquímica das folhas e dos frutos da espécie C. sylvestre e das folhas e das raízes de D. amazonica. As avaliações de mortalidade, número de ninfas e índice de deterrência dos insetos, foram realizadas 24, 48 e 72 horas após a aplicação dos extratos. Os extratos aquosos do fruto do C. sylvestre nas concentrações testadas apresentaram maior mortalidade frente à testemunha, na análise do número de ninfas, o extrato aquoso do fruto do C. sylvestre a 8 por cento apresentou maior eficiência que os demais tratamentos. O extrato da folha de D. amazonica na concentração 1 por cento apresentou maior mortalidade e menor número de ninfas que os demais tratamentos. Os extratos da raiz de D. amazonica aumentaram a mortalidade em todas as concentrações testadas e a concentração 8 por cento da raiz de D. amazonica, apresentou menor número de ninfas. Todos os tratamentos testados apresentaram efeito deterrente. O período de 72 horas foi o que apresentou maior efeito dos extratos, das duas espécies estudadas sobre os insetos.
