TY - JOUR
T1 - New frontiers in belowground ecology for plant protection from root-feeding insects
AU - Johnson, Scott N.
AU - Benefer, Carly M.
AU - Frew, Adam
AU - Griffiths, Bryan S.
AU - Hartley, Susan E.
AU - Karley, Alison J.
AU - Rasmann, Sergio
AU - Schumann, Mario
AU - Sonnemann, Illja
AU - Robert, Christelle A.M.
PY - 2016/12/1
Y1 - 2016/12/1
N2 - Herbivorous insect pests living in the soil represent a significant challenge to food security given their persistence, the acute damage they cause to plants and the difficulties associated with managing their populations. Ecological research effort into rhizosphere interactions has increased dramatically in the last decade and we are beginning to understand, in particular, the ecology of how plants defend themselves against soil-dwelling pests. In this review, we synthesise information about four key ecological mechanisms occurring in the rhizosphere or surrounding soil that confer plant protection against root herbivores. We focus on root tolerance, root resistance via direct physical and chemical defences, particularly via acquisition of silicon-based plant defences, integration of plant mutualists (microbes and entomopathogenic nematodes, EPNs) and the influence of soil history and feedbacks. Their suitability as management tools, current limitations for their application, and the opportunities for development are evaluated. We identify opportunities for synergy between these aspects of rhizosphere ecology, such as mycorrhizal fungi negatively affecting pests at the root-interface but also increasing plant uptake of silicon, which is also known to reduce herbivory. Finally, we set out research priorities for developing potential novel management strategies.
AB - Herbivorous insect pests living in the soil represent a significant challenge to food security given their persistence, the acute damage they cause to plants and the difficulties associated with managing their populations. Ecological research effort into rhizosphere interactions has increased dramatically in the last decade and we are beginning to understand, in particular, the ecology of how plants defend themselves against soil-dwelling pests. In this review, we synthesise information about four key ecological mechanisms occurring in the rhizosphere or surrounding soil that confer plant protection against root herbivores. We focus on root tolerance, root resistance via direct physical and chemical defences, particularly via acquisition of silicon-based plant defences, integration of plant mutualists (microbes and entomopathogenic nematodes, EPNs) and the influence of soil history and feedbacks. Their suitability as management tools, current limitations for their application, and the opportunities for development are evaluated. We identify opportunities for synergy between these aspects of rhizosphere ecology, such as mycorrhizal fungi negatively affecting pests at the root-interface but also increasing plant uptake of silicon, which is also known to reduce herbivory. Finally, we set out research priorities for developing potential novel management strategies.
KW - Belowground herbivores
KW - Ecological applications
KW - Rhizosphere
KW - Root herbivory
KW - Root-feeding insects
KW - Soils
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84989863208&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84989863208&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.apsoil.2016.07.017
DO - 10.1016/j.apsoil.2016.07.017
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:84989863208
SN - 0929-1393
VL - 108
SP - 96
EP - 107
JO - Applied Soil Ecology
JF - Applied Soil Ecology
ER -