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Gray HL, Ivers NA, Lopez E, Peter BG, Longing SD, López-Uribe MM, Jha S. Diet specialization mediates drivers of Cucurbita herbivory in a semi-arid agroecosystem. CURRENT RESEARCH IN INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 5:100087. [PMID: 38988880 PMCID: PMC11233904 DOI: 10.1016/j.cris.2024.100087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Herbivory is a major fitness pressure for plants and a key driver of crop losses in agroecosystems. Dense monocultures are expected to favor specialist herbivorous insects, particularly those who primarily consume crop species; yet, levels and types of herbivory are not uniform within regional cropping systems. It is essential to determine which local and regional ecological factors drive variation in herbivory in order to support functional agroecosystems that rely less on chemical inputs. Crops in the genus Cucurbita host a suite of both generalist and specialist herbivores that inflict significant damage, yet little is known about the relative contribution of these herbivores to variation in herbivory and how local- and landscape-scale Cucurbita resource concentrations, management practices, and natural enemies mediate this relationship. In this study, we tested whether three foundational ecological hypotheses influenced Cucurbita herbivory across 20 pumpkin fields in the semi-arid Southern High Plains Region of Texas. We used generalized linear mixed models and confirmatory path analysis to assess whether the Density-dependent Herbivory Hypothesis, Resource Concentration Hypothesis, or the Natural Enemies Hypothesis, could explain variation in Cucurbita herbivory and insect dynamics in the context of conventional agronomic practices. We found that herbivory increased over time, indicating that herbivores were causing sustained damage throughout the growing season. We also found that fields with higher local Cucurbita resources had lower herbivory, suggesting a resource dilution effect. Natural enemy communities were more abundant and taxonomically rich in sites with greater generalist herbivore abundance, though predator abundance declined over time, indicating that late-season crop fields are most at risk given high herbivory and low natural enemy-based control. Our findings also suggest that while local resource availability may drive the abundance and richness of arthropod communities, additional agronomic and phenological information is needed to anticipate herbivory risk in an agriculturally dominated landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L. Gray
- Dept. of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, 205W. 24th St., Austin 78712, TX, USA
| | - Nicholas A. Ivers
- Dept. of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, 547 ASI Bldg., University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Elizabeth Lopez
- Dept. of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, 205W. 24th St., Austin 78712, TX, USA
| | - Brad G. Peter
- Dept. of Geosciences, University of Arkansas, 340N. Campus Walk, Fayetteville 72701, AK, USA
| | - Scott D. Longing
- Dept. of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University, 2911 15th St., Lubbock 79409, TX, USA
| | - Margarita M. López-Uribe
- Dept. of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, 547 ASI Bldg., University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Shalene Jha
- Dept. of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, 205W. 24th St., Austin 78712, TX, USA
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave., University of Texas, Austin 78739, TX, USA
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Blubaugh CK. An omnivore vigour hypothesis? Nutrient availability strengthens herbivore suppression by omnivores across 48 field sites. J Anim Ecol 2023; 92:751-759. [PMID: 36695631 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Nutrients regulate herbivore growth from the 'bottom-up' via improved plant vigour and food quality. Nitrogen also affects 'top-down' control of herbivores by moderating attraction of predators and the rates at which they consume herbivorous prey. Tri-trophic consequences of nitrogen availability are more challenging to predict among omnivorous natural enemies who feed on both plants and herbivores, limiting our ability to predict net outcomes of nutrient availability in food webs. In a two-year field survey of insects on zucchini host plants at 48 sites, I predicted that both herbivores and foliar-feeding omnivores would increase with nutrient availability, while predators would not. My results revealed positive relationships between omnivores and foliar nitrogen concentrations, while predators had neutral responses to foliar N. Surprisingly, herbivores declined with increasing foliar N across the field sites. Greenhouse experiments re-enforced these patterns, as herbivore growth inversely correlated with soil N concentrations in communities that included foliar-feeding omnivores. Conversely, herbivore growth was uncorrelated with soil N on plants with predators, nor on predator-free plants. These results suggest that omnivores mount strong and consistent responses to nitrogen in plant tissues in a variety of ecological contexts. In environments where omnivorous arthropods can thrive, their recruitment to nitrogen-rich plants may increase predation and thereby counterbalance and stabilize 'bottom-up' increases in herbivore performance supported by enhanced foliar nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- C K Blubaugh
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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Appenfeller LR, Brainard DC, Hayden ZD, Szendrei Z. Beneficial and Pest Arthropod Responses to Tillage and Cover Crop Residues in Organic Cucurbits. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 51:1182-1190. [PMID: 36178322 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvac076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Reduced tillage methods such as strip tillage are often combined with cover crop mixtures to provide agronomic benefits which can support crop and soil health. However, reduced tillage and cover crop species/arrangements effects on arthropods is less understood and results of previous studies have varied. In this study, we examined how agriculturally relevant pest and beneficial arthropod species were impacted by tillage and cover crop methods in USDA-certified organic Cucurbita (L.) (Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae). Aphididae were the most observed foliar pests and abundance was highest in full tillage treatment plots while foliar herbivores overall, excluding Aphididae, were more abundant in strip tillage treatment plots regardless of cover crop arrangement. Formicidae was also observed more on foliage, flowers, and in pitfall traps in full tillage, similarly to Aphididae. Parasitica were the most observed foliar natural enemies with increased abundance in strip tillage treatments. Activity densities of several epigeal natural enemies were also higher in strip tillage compared to full tillage. No significant effects of tillage and cover crop treatments were observed on flower visitation rates of Eucera pruinosa (Say) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), an important pollinator of Cucurbita, while the highest visitation rates of Apis mellifera (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and Bombus spp. (Latreille) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) were in strip tillage treatments. These results suggest that reduced tillage methods can support greater abundances of natural enemies and possibly pollinators. This may lead to enhanced biological control and pollination, but impacts may vary for different arthropod species and crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan R Appenfeller
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Daniel C Brainard
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Zachary D Hayden
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Zsofia Szendrei
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Habitat complexity mediates spatiotemporal niche partitioning among native and invasive seed predators. FOOD WEBS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fooweb.2022.e00243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Carabajal-Capitán S, Kniss AR, Jabbour R. Seed Predation of Interseeded Cover Crops and Resulting Impacts on Ground Beetles. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 50:832-841. [PMID: 33843995 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvab026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Interseeding cover crops into standing grains can promote both agronomic and environmental benefits within agroecosystems. Producers must decide which cover crops are the best fit for their goals, and whether diverse cover crop mixtures provide benefits that are worth the increased seed cost. Broadcast seeding is an accessible strategy to try interseeding but can lead to patchy establishment; it is unknown how much seed loss is due to seed predators. In a two-year study, six cover crop species-planted as either single species or mixtures-were interseeded into standing corn. We evaluated seed predation at the time of seeding, agronomic impact through cover crop, and weedy biomass at the end of the season, and conservation impact through activity-density of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Cover crop seeds were vulnerable to seed predation, primarily by vertebrate seed predators, and seed loss varied across cover crop species. Cover crop biomass did not differ according to cover crop diversity and weedy biomass was not affected by cover crop presence or species. Cover crop diversity effects on carabid activity-density were inconsistent: carabids were higher in diverse mixtures in 1 year of the study, but only predicted by vegetative cover, not by cover crop, in the second year. Interseeding cover crops into corn has potential benefits for ground beetles, although the value of mixtures must be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Carabajal-Capitán
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - Andrew R Kniss
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - Randa Jabbour
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
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How Effective Is Conservation Biological Control in Regulating Insect Pest Populations in Organic Crop Production Systems? INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11110744. [PMID: 33138249 PMCID: PMC7692856 DOI: 10.3390/insects11110744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Organic crop production systems typically rely on conservation biological control to increase and sustain natural enemies including parasitoids and predators that will regulate insect pest populations below damaging levels. The use of flowering plants or floral resources to attract and retain natural enemies in organic crop production systems has not been consistent, based on the scientific literature, and most importantly, many studies do not correlate an increase in natural enemies with a reduction in plant damage. This may be associated with the effects of intraguild predation or the negative effects that can occur when multiple natural enemies are present in an ecosystem. Consequently, although incorporating flowering plants into organic crop production systems may increase the natural enemy assemblages, more robust scientific studies are warranted to determine the actual effects of natural enemies in reducing plant damage associated with insect pest populations. Abstract Organic crop production systems are designed to enhance or preserve the presence of natural enemies, including parasitoids and predators, by means of conservation biological control, which involves providing environments and habitats that sustain natural enemy assemblages. Conservation biological control can be accomplished by providing flowering plants (floral resources) that will attract and retain natural enemies. Natural enemies, in turn, will regulate existing insect pest populations to levels that minimize plant damage. However, evidence is not consistent, based on the scientific literature, that providing natural enemies with flowering plants will result in an abundance of natural enemies sufficient to regulate insect pest populations below economically damaging levels. The reason that conservation biological control has not been found to sufficiently regulate insect pest populations in organic crop production systems across the scientific literature is associated with complex interactions related to intraguild predation, the emission of plant volatiles, weed diversity, and climate and ecosystem resources across locations where studies have been conducted.
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Armesto J, Rocchetti G, Senizza B, Pateiro M, Barba FJ, Domínguez R, Lucini L, Lorenzo JM. Nutritional characterization of Butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata D.): Effect of variety (Ariel vs. Pluto) and farming type (conventional vs. organic). Food Res Int 2020; 132:109052. [PMID: 32331650 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Farming systems and cultivar types are two of the main factors able to affect the nutritional quality of plant foods for human nutrition. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the impact of two unexplored variety (namely Ariel and Pluto) and farming type (conventional and organic) on physicochemical parameters, chemical and mineral composition, water- and fat-soluble vitamins, amino acid profile and antioxidant bioactive components of butternut squashes (Cucurbita moschata). In order to achieve this purpose, a multivariate statistical discrimination of the different parameters was carried out using the unsupervised principle component analysis (PCA). The most important differences were obtained between the two cultivars under organic farming conditions. In fact, the proportion of compounds was higher in organic squashes than in conventional ones. In this regard, the essential amino acids were 1.3-fold higher than non-essential ones, as well as the contents of potassium (9%), magnesium (67%), sodium (29%), manganese (≈3-fold), zinc (≈2-fold) and tocopherol (4-fold). However, higher concentrations of folic acid (15%) and β-carotene (62%) were achieved under conventional cultivation. Regarding the impact of variety, Pluto was found to possess the highest levels of folic acid (24%) and β-carotene (80%), whilst the Ariel showed a higher tocopherol content (≈3-fold). Agricultural production systems have a great impact on the composition of Butternut squash, especially on essential amino acids content, antioxidant compounds and mineral composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Armesto
- Centro Tecnológico de la Carne de Galicia, Rúa Galicia N° 4, Parque Tecnológico de Galicia, San Cibrao das Viñas, 32900 Ourense, Spain
| | - Gabriele Rocchetti
- Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
| | - Biancamaria Senizza
- Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
| | - Mirian Pateiro
- Centro Tecnológico de la Carne de Galicia, Rúa Galicia N° 4, Parque Tecnológico de Galicia, San Cibrao das Viñas, 32900 Ourense, Spain
| | - Francisco J Barba
- Nutrition and Food Science Area, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitat de València, Avda. Vicent Andrés Estellés, s/n, 46100 Burjassot, València, Spain
| | - Rubén Domínguez
- Centro Tecnológico de la Carne de Galicia, Rúa Galicia N° 4, Parque Tecnológico de Galicia, San Cibrao das Viñas, 32900 Ourense, Spain
| | - Luigi Lucini
- Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
| | - José M Lorenzo
- Centro Tecnológico de la Carne de Galicia, Rúa Galicia N° 4, Parque Tecnológico de Galicia, San Cibrao das Viñas, 32900 Ourense, Spain.
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Kopczyńska K, Kazimierczak R, Średnicka-Tober D, Barański M, Wyszyński Z, Kucińska K, Perzanowska A, Szacki P, Rembiałkowska E, Hallmann E. The Profile of Selected Antioxidants in Two Courgette Varieties from Organic and Conventional Production. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:E404. [PMID: 32397495 PMCID: PMC7278829 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9050404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Courgette is considered as a low-calorie vegetable with health-promoting properties. However, scientific publications focused on the profile and content of bioactive compounds in courgette, as well as the potential fruit quality modulating factors, are rare. Due to the high adaptability of courgette to weather and agronomic conditions, it is produced on a global scale. The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of organic versus conventional agronomic practices on the concentration of selected antioxidants in courgette fruits. Fruits of two courgette varieties (Astra Polka and Nimba) produced in an organic and conventional system were tested by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to determine the content of polyphenols (flavonoids and phenolic acids), carotenoids, chlorophylls, and vitamin C. Organic courgette fruits were characterised by their significantly higher content of phenolic acids and flavonoids when compared to the conventionally grown fruit. The organic cultivation might be a good method to increase concentration of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties in courgette fruits. Nevertheless, the identified trends should be further confirmed, with attention paid to other courgette varieties, as well as to the potential interactions between the plant genotype, agronomic system and the location-specific growing conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaudia Kopczyńska
- Department of Functional and Organic Food, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (R.K.); (M.B.); (E.R.); (E.H.)
| | - Renata Kazimierczak
- Department of Functional and Organic Food, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (R.K.); (M.B.); (E.R.); (E.H.)
| | - Dominika Średnicka-Tober
- Department of Functional and Organic Food, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (R.K.); (M.B.); (E.R.); (E.H.)
| | - Marcin Barański
- Department of Functional and Organic Food, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (R.K.); (M.B.); (E.R.); (E.H.)
| | - Zdzisław Wyszyński
- Department of Agronomy, Institute of Agriculture, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland; (Z.W.); (K.K.); (A.P.); (P.S.)
| | - Katarzyna Kucińska
- Department of Agronomy, Institute of Agriculture, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland; (Z.W.); (K.K.); (A.P.); (P.S.)
| | - Aneta Perzanowska
- Department of Agronomy, Institute of Agriculture, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland; (Z.W.); (K.K.); (A.P.); (P.S.)
| | - Paweł Szacki
- Department of Agronomy, Institute of Agriculture, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland; (Z.W.); (K.K.); (A.P.); (P.S.)
| | - Ewa Rembiałkowska
- Department of Functional and Organic Food, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (R.K.); (M.B.); (E.R.); (E.H.)
| | - Ewelina Hallmann
- Department of Functional and Organic Food, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (R.K.); (M.B.); (E.R.); (E.H.)
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