The enemy as ally: herbivore-induced increase in crop yield

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Entomology
• Plant Physiology

Background:

• Global food security is threatened by increasing demand and limited arable land.
• Expanding agriculture impacts natural habitats and ecosystem health.
• Maximizing yields from existing farmland is crucial for sustainable food production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of Guatemalan potato moth (Tecia solanivora) larval feeding on potato (Solanum tuberosum) yield.
• To determine the mechanism behind yield increase, distinguishing between mechanical damage and chemical induction.
• To explore the potential of herbivore-induced plant responses for enhancing crop productivity.

Main Methods:

• Field experiments in the Colombian Andes with naturally infested potato plants.
• Greenhouse experiments to isolate the effects of larval regurgitant versus mechanical damage.
• Analysis of chemical compounds from T. solanivora foregut.

Main Results:

• Low levels of T. solanivora larval feeding resulted in a 2.5-fold increase in marketable potato yield.
• The yield increase was attributed to larval regurgitant, not physical damage.
• Specific compounds from the moth's foregut were identified as necessary and sufficient to induce higher potato yield.

Conclusions:

• Herbivore-derived chemical cues can trigger plant responses that enhance crop yield.
• Induced compensatory plant responses to herbivory present a novel approach for increasing agricultural productivity.
• This research offers sustainable tools for boosting crop yields without expanding farmland.