How Microorganisms Help Invasive Plants Grow and Defend Against Herbivores
Author Information
Author(s): Du Ewei, Li Pengcun, Zhao Wenyuan, Luo Rongchao, Chen Yaping, Lu Minghong, Sun Zhongxiang, Gui Furong
Primary Institution: State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bioresources in Yunnan, College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University
Hypothesis
AMFs, Bacillus, and their interactions present in the rhizosphere soil of A. adenophora would exert different effects on the plant’s growth and defense ability.
Conclusion
The study found that both Bacillus thuringiensis and Claroideoglomus etunicatum enhance the growth and defense of the invasive plant Ageratina adenophora against its specialist herbivore Procecidochares utilis.
Supporting Evidence
- Both Claroideoglomus etunicatum and Bacillus thuringiensis significantly enhanced nutrient concentration and promoted the growth of Ageratina adenophora.
- The aboveground biomass increased by 35.48% and 53.38% under non-parasitism and by 68.03% and 103.72% under the parasitism of Procecidochares utilis for these two treatments, respectively.
- Protective enzyme activity, jasmonic acid concentration, and secondary metabolites were significantly increased by the treatments compared to the control.
Takeaway
This study shows that tiny helpers in the soil can make a plant grow better and fight off bugs that want to eat it.
Methodology
A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted with different treatments including no inoculation, inoculation with Bacillus thuringiensis, Claroideoglomus etunicatum, and dual inoculation, assessing growth and defense parameters.
Limitations
The study did not investigate gene expression differences related to A. adenophora defense among the treatments.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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