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Herbivore-induced Blueberry Volatiles and Intra-plant Signaling
Published on: December 18, 2011
Does mycorrhization influence herbivore-induced volatile emission in Medicago truncatula?
Margit Leitner1, Roland Kaiser, Bettina Hause
1Department Bioorganic Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans Knöll Str. 8, 07745 Jena, Germany.
Mycorrhiza
|July 8, 2009
Summary
Mycorrhizal fungi symbiosis slightly alters plant volatile emissions in response to herbivore damage. These changes, though subtle, are sufficient to distinguish mycorrhizal from non-mycorrhizal plants, with effects varying by plant cultivar.
Area of Science:
- Plant-fungal interactions
- Chemical ecology
- Plant defense mechanisms
Background:
- Mycorrhizal fungi symbiosis significantly affects plant secondary metabolism and defense traits.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for plant resilience and agricultural applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of mycorrhization (Glomus intraradices) on inducible indirect defenses in Medicago truncatula against herbivores.
- To analyze volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions in response to herbivore damage in mycorrhizal versus non-mycorrhizal plants.
Main Methods:
- Medicago truncatula plants (two cultivars) were subjected to herbivore damage (Spodoptera spp.).
- Volatile emissions were measured using closed-loop stripping and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.
- Data analysis involved multidimensional scaling and stepwise linear discriminant analysis for pattern recognition.
Main Results:
- Distinct volatile profiles were observed between different M. truncatula cultivars.
- Mycorrhization had a slight but significant influence on herbivore-induced volatile emissions.
- Classification rules were developed to differentiate mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants based on emitted volatiles, with opposing effects noted in the two cultivars.
Conclusions:
- Root symbionts, specifically mycorrhizal fungi, can alter indirect inducible defenses in M. truncatula against insect herbivores.
- The impact of mycorrhization on plant defense volatile emissions is strongly dependent on the plant's genetic background.
- This genetic variability helps explain contradictory findings in previous tripartite interaction studies.
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