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Böttner L, Malacrinò A, Schulze Gronover C, van Deenen N, Müller B, Xu S, Gershenzon J, Prüfer D, Huber M. Natural rubber reduces herbivory and alters the microbiome below ground. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023. [PMID: 36597727 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Laticifers are hypothesized to mediate both plant-herbivore and plant-microbe interactions. However, there is little evidence for this dual function. We investigated whether the major constituent of natural rubber, cis-1,4-polyisoprene, a phylogenetically widespread and economically important latex polymer, alters plant resistance and the root microbiome of the Russian dandelion (Taraxacum koksaghyz) under attack of a root herbivore, the larva of the May cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha). Rubber-depleted transgenic plants lost more shoot and root biomass upon herbivory than normal rubber content near-isogenic lines. Melolontha melolontha preferred to feed on artificial diet supplemented with rubber-depleted rather than normal rubber content latex. Likewise, adding purified cis-1,4-polyisoprene in ecologically relevant concentrations to diet deterred larval feeding and reduced larval weight gain. Metagenomics and metabarcoding revealed that abolishing biosynthesis of natural rubber alters the structure but not the diversity of the rhizosphere and root microbiota (ecto- and endophytes) and that these changes depended on M. melolontha damage. However, the assumption that rubber reduces microbial colonization or pathogen load is contradicted by four lines of evidence. Taken together, our data demonstrate that natural rubber biosynthesis reduces herbivory and alters the plant microbiota, which highlights the role of plant-specialized metabolites and secretory structures in shaping multitrophic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Böttner
- Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Münster, D-48143, Münster, Germany
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, D-48149, Münster, Germany
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, D-55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Antonino Malacrinò
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, D-48149, Münster, Germany
- Department of Agriculture, Università degli Studi Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, I-89122, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Christian Schulze Gronover
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schlossplatz 8, D-48143, Münster, Germany
| | - Nicole van Deenen
- Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Münster, D-48143, Münster, Germany
| | - Boje Müller
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schlossplatz 8, D-48143, Münster, Germany
| | - Shuqing Xu
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, D-48149, Münster, Germany
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, D-55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jonathan Gershenzon
- Department of Biochemistry, Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, D-07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Dirk Prüfer
- Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Münster, D-48143, Münster, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schlossplatz 8, D-48143, Münster, Germany
| | - Meret Huber
- Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Münster, D-48143, Münster, Germany
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, D-55128, Mainz, Germany
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2
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Freschet GT, Roumet C, Comas LH, Weemstra M, Bengough AG, Rewald B, Bardgett RD, De Deyn GB, Johnson D, Klimešová J, Lukac M, McCormack ML, Meier IC, Pagès L, Poorter H, Prieto I, Wurzburger N, Zadworny M, Bagniewska-Zadworna A, Blancaflor EB, Brunner I, Gessler A, Hobbie SE, Iversen CM, Mommer L, Picon-Cochard C, Postma JA, Rose L, Ryser P, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Soudzilovskaia NA, Sun T, Valverde-Barrantes OJ, Weigelt A, York LM, Stokes A. Root traits as drivers of plant and ecosystem functioning: current understanding, pitfalls and future research needs. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 232:1123-1158. [PMID: 33159479 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The effects of plants on the biosphere, atmosphere and geosphere are key determinants of terrestrial ecosystem functioning. However, despite substantial progress made regarding plant belowground components, we are still only beginning to explore the complex relationships between root traits and functions. Drawing on the literature in plant physiology, ecophysiology, ecology, agronomy and soil science, we reviewed 24 aspects of plant and ecosystem functioning and their relationships with a number of root system traits, including aspects of architecture, physiology, morphology, anatomy, chemistry, biomechanics and biotic interactions. Based on this assessment, we critically evaluated the current strengths and gaps in our knowledge, and identify future research challenges in the field of root ecology. Most importantly, we found that belowground traits with the broadest importance in plant and ecosystem functioning are not those most commonly measured. Also, the estimation of trait relative importance for functioning requires us to consider a more comprehensive range of functionally relevant traits from a diverse range of species, across environments and over time series. We also advocate that establishing causal hierarchical links among root traits will provide a hypothesis-based framework to identify the most parsimonious sets of traits with the strongest links on functions, and to link genotypes to plant and ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grégoire T Freschet
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale, CNRS, 2 route du CNRS, Moulis, 09200, France
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Montpellier, 34293, France
| | - Catherine Roumet
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Montpellier, 34293, France
| | - Louise H Comas
- USDA-ARS Water Management and Systems Research Unit, 2150 Centre Avenue, Bldg D, Suite 320, Fort Collins, CO, 80526, USA
| | - Monique Weemstra
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Montpellier, 34293, France
| | - A Glyn Bengough
- The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA, UK
- School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Boris Rewald
- Department of Forest and Soil Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, 1190, Austria
| | - Richard D Bardgett
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Gerlinde B De Deyn
- Soil Biology Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, 6700 AA, the Netherlands
| | - David Johnson
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Jitka Klimešová
- Department of Functional Ecology, Institute of Botany CAS, Dukelska 135, Trebon, 37901, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Lukac
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6EU, UK
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, 165 00, Czech Republic
| | - M Luke McCormack
- Center for Tree Science, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rt. 53, Lisle, IL, 60532, USA
| | - Ina C Meier
- Plant Ecology, University of Goettingen, Untere Karspüle 2, Göttingen, 37073, Germany
- Functional Forest Ecology, University of Hamburg, Haidkrugsweg 1, Barsbüttel, 22885, Germany
| | - Loïc Pagès
- UR 1115 PSH, Centre PACA, site Agroparc, INRAE, Avignon Cedex 9, 84914, France
| | - Hendrik Poorter
- Plant Sciences (IBG-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, D-52425, Germany
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Iván Prieto
- Departamento de Conservación de Suelos y Agua, Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CEBAS-CSIC), Murcia, 30100, Spain
| | - Nina Wurzburger
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, 140 E. Green Street, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Marcin Zadworny
- Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Parkowa 5, Kórnik, 62-035, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Bagniewska-Zadworna
- Department of General Botany, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, Poznań, 61-614, Poland
| | - Elison B Blancaflor
- Noble Research Institute, LLC, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK, 73401, USA
| | - Ivano Brunner
- Forest Soils and Biogeochemistry, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Zürcherstr. 111, Birmensdorf, 8903, Switzerland
| | - Arthur Gessler
- Forest Dynamics, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Zürcherstr. 111, Birmensdorf, 8903, Switzerland
- Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Sarah E Hobbie
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Colleen M Iversen
- Environmental Sciences Division and Climate Change Science Institute, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Liesje Mommer
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, PO box 47, Wageningen, 6700 AA, the Netherlands
| | | | - Johannes A Postma
- Plant Sciences (IBG-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, D-52425, Germany
| | - Laura Rose
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale, CNRS, 2 route du CNRS, Moulis, 09200, France
| | - Peter Ryser
- Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6, Canada
| | | | - Nadejda A Soudzilovskaia
- Environmental Biology Department, Institute of Environmental Sciences, CML, Leiden University, Leiden, 2333 CC, the Netherlands
| | - Tao Sun
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Oscar J Valverde-Barrantes
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Alexandra Weigelt
- Systematic Botany and Functional Biodiversity, Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 21-23, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Larry M York
- Noble Research Institute, LLC, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK, 73401, USA
| | - Alexia Stokes
- INRA, AMAP, CIRAD, IRD, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, 34000, France
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Huber M, Roder T, Irmisch S, Riedel A, Gablenz S, Fricke J, Rahfeld P, Reichelt M, Paetz C, Liechti N, Hu L, Bont Z, Meng Y, Huang W, Robert CA, Gershenzon J, Erb M. A beta-glucosidase of an insect herbivore determines both toxicity and deterrence of a dandelion defense metabolite. eLife 2021; 10:68642. [PMID: 34632981 PMCID: PMC8504966 DOI: 10.7554/elife.68642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gut enzymes can metabolize plant defense compounds and thereby affect the growth and fitness of insect herbivores. Whether these enzymes also influence feeding preference is largely unknown. We studied the metabolization of taraxinic acid β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (TA-G), a sesquiterpene lactone of the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) that deters its major root herbivore, the common cockchafer larva (Melolontha melolontha). We have demonstrated that TA-G is rapidly deglucosylated and conjugated to glutathione in the insect gut. A broad-spectrum M. melolontha β-glucosidase, Mm_bGlc17, is sufficient and necessary for TA-G deglucosylation. Using cross-species RNA interference, we have shown that Mm_bGlc17 reduces TA-G toxicity. Furthermore, Mm_bGlc17 is required for the preference of M. melolontha larvae for TA-G-deficient plants. Thus, herbivore metabolism modulates both the toxicity and deterrence of a plant defense compound. Our work illustrates the multifaceted roles of insect digestive enzymes as mediators of plant-herbivore interactions. Plants produce certain substances to fend off attackers like plant-feeding insects. To stop these compounds from damaging their own cells, plants often attach sugar molecules to them. When an insect tries to eat the plant, the plant removes the stabilizing sugar, ‘activating’ the compounds and making them toxic or foul-tasting. Curiously, some insects remove the sugar themselves, but it is unclear what consequences this has, especially for insect behavior. Dandelions, Taraxacum officinale, make high concentrations of a sugar-containing defense compound in their roots called taraxinic acid β-D-glucopyranosyl ester, or TA-G for short. TA-G deters the larvae of the Maybug – a pest also known as the common cockchafer or the doodlebug – from eating dandelion roots. When Maybug larvae do eat TA-G, it is found in their systems without its sugar. However, it is unclear whether it is the plant or the larva that removes the sugar. A second open question is how the sugar removal process affects the behavior of the Maybug larvae. Using chemical analysis and genetic manipulation, Huber et al. investigated what happens when Maybug larvae eat TA-G. This revealed that the acidity levels in the larvae’s digestive system deactivate the proteins from the dandelion that would normally remove the sugar from TA-G. However, rather than leaving the compound intact, larvae remove the sugar from TA-G themselves. They do this using a digestive enzyme, known as a beta-glucosidase, that cuts through sugar. Removing the sugar from TA-G made the compound less toxic, allowing the larvae to grow bigger, but it also increased TA-G’s deterrent effects, making the larvae less likely to eat the roots. Any organism that eats plants, including humans, must deal with chemicals like TA-G in their food. Once inside the body, enzymes can change these chemicals, altering their effects. This happens with many medicines, too. In the future, it might be possible to design compounds that activate only in certain species, or under certain conditions. Further studies in different systems may aid the development of new methods of pest control, or new drug treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meret Huber
- Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany.,Department of Biochemistry, Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Roder
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sandra Irmisch
- Department of Biochemistry, Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Alexander Riedel
- Department of Biochemistry, Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Saskia Gablenz
- Department of Biochemistry, Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Julia Fricke
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Peter Rahfeld
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Michael Reichelt
- Department of Biochemistry, Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Paetz
- Research group Biosynthesis/NMR, Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Nicole Liechti
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lingfei Hu
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Zoe Bont
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ye Meng
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wei Huang
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Jonathan Gershenzon
- Department of Biochemistry, Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Matthias Erb
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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4
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Barnett KL, Johnson SN, Facey SL, Gibson-Forty EVJ, Ochoa-Hueso R, Power SA. Altered precipitation and root herbivory affect the productivity and composition of a mesic grassland. BMC Ecol Evol 2021; 21:145. [PMID: 34266378 PMCID: PMC8283849 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01871-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Climate change models predict changes in the amount, frequency and seasonality of precipitation events, all of which have the potential to affect the structure and function of grassland ecosystems. While previous studies have examined plant or herbivore responses to these perturbations, few have examined their interactions; even fewer have included belowground herbivores. Given the ecological, economic and biodiversity value of grasslands, and their importance globally for carbon storage and agriculture, this is an important knowledge gap. To address this, we conducted a precipitation manipulation experiment in a former mesic pasture grassland comprising a mixture of C4 grasses and C3 grasses and forbs, in southeast Australia. Rainfall treatments included a control [ambient], reduced amount [50% ambient] and reduced frequency [ambient rainfall withheld for three weeks, then applied as a single deluge event] manipulations, to simulate predicted changes in both the size and frequency of future rainfall events. In addition, half of all experimental plots were inoculated with adult root herbivores (Scarabaeidae beetles). RESULTS We found strong seasonal dependence in plant community responses to both rainfall and root herbivore treatments. The largest effects were seen in the cool season with lower productivity, cover and diversity in rainfall-manipulated plots, while root herbivore inoculation increased the relative abundance of C3, compared to C4, plants. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the importance of considering not only the seasonality of plant responses to altered rainfall, but also the important role of interactions between abiotic and biotic drivers of vegetation change when evaluating ecosystem-level responses to future shifts in climatic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirk L Barnett
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia.
| | - Scott N Johnson
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Sarah L Facey
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Eleanor V J Gibson-Forty
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Raul Ochoa-Hueso
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia.,Department of Biology, University of Cádiz, Avenida República Árabe Saharaui, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Sally A Power
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
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5
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Bont Z, Pfander M, Robert CAM, Huber M, Poelman EH, Raaijmakers CE, Erb M. Adapted dandelions trade dispersal for germination upon root herbivore attack. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20192930. [PMID: 32097589 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.2930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A plant's offspring may escape unfavourable local conditions through seed dispersal. Whether plants use this strategy to escape insect herbivores is not well understood. Here, we explore how different dandelion (Taraxacum officinale agg.) populations, including diploid outcrossers and triploid apomicts, modify seed dispersal in response to root herbivore attack by their main root-feeding natural enemy, the larvae of the common cockchafer Melolontha melolontha. In a manipulative field experiment, root herbivore attack increased seed dispersal potential through a reduction in seed weight in populations that evolved under high root herbivore pressure, but not in populations that evolved under low pressure. This increase in dispersal potential was independent of plant cytotype, but associated with a reduction in germination rate, suggesting that adapted dandelions trade dispersal for establishment upon attack by root herbivores. Analysis of vegetative growth parameters suggested that the increased dispersal capacity was not the result of stress flowering. In summary, these results suggest that root herbivory selects for an induced increase in dispersal ability in response to herbivore attack. Induced seed dispersal may be a strategy that allows adapted plants to escape from herbivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Bont
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marc Pfander
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Meret Huber
- Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Erik H Poelman
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ciska E Raaijmakers
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Matthias Erb
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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6
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Huang W, Bont Z, Hervé MR, Robert CAM, Erb M. Impact of Seasonal and Temperature-Dependent Variation in Root Defense Metabolites on Herbivore Preference in Taraxacum officinale. J Chem Ecol 2019; 46:63-75. [PMID: 31832894 PMCID: PMC6954900 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-019-01126-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Plants experience seasonal fluctuations in abiotic and biotic factors such as herbivore attack rates. If and how root defense expression co-varies with seasonal fluctuations in abiotic factors and root herbivore attack rates is not well understood. Here, we evaluated seasonal changes in defensive root latex chemistry of Taraxacum officinale plants in the field and correlated the changes with seasonal fluctuations in abiotic factors and damage potential by Melolontha melolontha, a major natural enemy of T. officinale. We then explored the causality and consequences of these relationships under controlled conditions. The concentration of the defensive sesquiterpene lactone taraxinic acid β-D glucopyranosyl ester (TA-G) varied substantially over the year and was most strongly correlated to mean monthly temperature. Both temperature and TA-G levels were correlated with annual fluctuations in potential M. melolontha damage. Under controlled conditions, plants grown under high temperature produced more TA-G and were less attractive for M. melolontha. However, temperature-dependent M. melolontha feeding preferences were not significantly altered in TA-G deficient transgenic lines. Our results suggest that fluctuations in temperature leads to variation in the production of a root defensive metabolites that co-varies with expected attack of a major root herbivore. Temperature-dependent herbivore preference, however, is likely to be modulated by other phenotypic alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Huang
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, 3013, Bern, Switzerland. .,CAS Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China.
| | - Zoe Bont
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, 3013, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Maxime R Hervé
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, 3013, Bern, Switzerland.,Inra, Agrocampus Ouest, IGEPP - UMR-A 1349, University of Rennes, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Christelle A M Robert
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, 3013, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Erb
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, 3013, Bern, Switzerland.
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7
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Agrawal AA, Hastings AP. Plant Defense by Latex: Ecological Genetics of Inducibility in the Milkweeds and a General Review of Mechanisms, Evolution, and Implications for Agriculture. J Chem Ecol 2019; 45:1004-1018. [PMID: 31755020 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-019-01119-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Latex occurs in 10% of plant families, has evolved independently many times, and is the most effective defense of milkweeds against its chewing herbivores. Here we report on new experiments on the heritability and inducibility of latex in several milkweed species. In addition, we review what is known about the genetic and environmental determinants of latex exudation, hormonal regulation, evolution within and among species, and the role and frequency of latex in agricultural crops. We first evaluated genotype-by-environment interactions using ~20 full-sibling genetic families in each of seven Asclepias species treated as controls or attacked by monarch butterfly caterpillars. All species showed substantial genetic variation for latex exudation and six of seven species responded to monarch herbivory (two species increased latex, two species decreased, and two showed variation among genetic families). Exogenous application of jasmonic acid (JA) to three species induced a consistent increase in latex (including species which showed a decline following caterpillar herbivory). We next evaluated three hypotheses for what determines genetic variation for induced latex in A. syriaca: 1) a trade-off with constitutive investment, 2) differential endogenous JA induction, or 3) variation in responsiveness to JA. We only found support for the second hypothesis: genetic families with a stronger JA-burst showed the greatest latex exudation following herbivory. We conclude that most species exhibit a genetic and inducible basis for latex, although genetic variation in inducibility is not pervasive. Finally, we summarized studies across 22 species of Asclepias and found that neither a species' latitude nor its phylogenetic position predicted latex inducibility. Nonetheless, a negative association between constitutive and induced latex across species indicates a macroevolutionary trade-off in allocation to this defense. Our review indicates that jasmonic acid is a key regulator of latex exudation, laticifer morphology, and defensive metabolites within latex. Biotic and abiotic factors strongly modulate latex expression. A survey of latex in food crops revealed that latex and analogous exudates (gums, resins, mucilage) are more common than expected based on their distribution across all plants. In conclusion, despite its widespread occurrence, the literature on latex is currently dominated by rubber trees and milkweeds, and we look forward to the broadening of ecological, agricultural, and mechanistic research into other systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anurag A Agrawal
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA. .,Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Amy P Hastings
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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8
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Small-Scale Bioreactor for Sterile Hydroponics and Hairy Roots: Metabolic Diversity and Salicylic Acid Exudation by Hairy Roots of Hyoscyamus niger. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/app9153044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The volume and complexity of commercial bioreactors for sterile hydroponics and hairy roots are too large for comparative analysis of many cultures. Here a small-scale bioreactor fabricated from standard glass materials and suitable for both airlift and bubble aeration mode is described. The performance of the bioreactor was tested by growing oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) and rose plants (Rosa canina L.) in sterile hydroponics and by cultivating hairy roots of henbane (Hyoscyamus niger L.) and sesame (Hyoscyamus niger L.). Plants grown in hydroponics for up to six weeks did not show chloroses or necroses. Hairy roots grew faster or comparably fast in bioreactors as compared to shaking flasks. Root exudates of roses and exudates of hairy roots of henbane were subjected to targeted and nontargeted analysis by HPLC coupled with optical and mass spectrometric detectors. The diversity and concentration of hairy root exudates were higher in bioreactors than in shaking flasks. The composition of hairy root exudates of three accessions of H. niger did not match the genetic relatedness among the accessions. Hairy roots of Hyoscyamus niger exuded salicylic acid in amounts varying among plant accessions and between bioreactors and shaking flask cultures.
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9
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Huang W, Gfeller V, Erb M. Root volatiles in plant-plant interactions II: Root volatiles alter root chemistry and plant-herbivore interactions of neighbouring plants. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2019; 42:1964-1973. [PMID: 30754075 PMCID: PMC6849603 DOI: 10.1111/pce.13534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by plant roots can influence the germination and growth of neighbouring plants. However, little is known about the effects of root VOCs on plant-herbivore interactions of neighbouring plants. The spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe) constitutively releases high amounts of sesquiterpenes into the rhizosphere. Here, we examine the impact of C. stoebe root VOCs on the primary and secondary metabolites of sympatric Taraxacum officinale plants and the resulting plant-mediated effects on a generalist root herbivore, the white grub Melolontha melolontha. We show that exposure of T. officinale to C.stoebe root VOCs does not affect the accumulation of defensive secondary metabolites but modulates carbohydrate and total protein levels in T. officinale roots. Furthermore, VOC exposure increases M. melolontha growth on T. officinale plants. Exposure of T. officinale to a major C. stoebe root VOC, the sesquiterpene (E)-β-caryophyllene, partially mimics the effect of the full root VOC blend on M. melolontha growth. Thus, releasing root VOCs can modify plant-herbivore interactions of neighbouring plants. The release of VOCs to increase the susceptibility of other plants may be a form of plant offense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Huang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Plant and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical GardenChinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
- Institute of Plant SciencesUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
| | | | - Matthias Erb
- Institute of Plant SciencesUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
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10
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Smith SD, Angelovici R, Heyduk K, Maeda HA, Moghe GD, Pires JC, Widhalm JR, Wisecaver JH. The renaissance of comparative biochemistry. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2019; 106:3-13. [PMID: 30629738 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.1216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Stacey D Smith
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Ruthie Angelovici
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Karolina Heyduk
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Hiroshi A Maeda
- Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Gaurav D Moghe
- Plant Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - J Chris Pires
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Joshua R Widhalm
- Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Jennifer H Wisecaver
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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11
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Kessler A, Kalske A. Plant Secondary Metabolite Diversity and Species Interactions. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY EVOLUTION AND SYSTEMATICS 2018. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-110617-062406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Ever since the first plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) were isolated and identified, questions about their ecological functions and diversity have been raised. Recent advances in analytical chemistry and complex data computation, as well as progress in chemical ecology from mechanistic to functional and evolutionary questions, open a new box of hypotheses. Addressing these hypotheses includes the measurement of complex traits, such as chemodiversity, in a context-dependent manner and allows for a deeper understanding of the multifunctionality and functional redundancy of PSMs. Here we review a hypothesis framework that addresses PSM diversity on multiple ecological levels (α, β, and γ chemodiversity), its variation in space and time, and the potential agents of natural selection. We use the concept of chemical information transfer as mediator of antagonistic and mutualistic interaction to interpret functional and microevolutionary studies and create a hypothesis framework for understanding chemodiversity as a factor driving ecological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Kessler
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA;,
| | - Aino Kalske
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA;,
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12
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Agrawal AA, Hastings AP, Fines DM, Bogdanowicz S, Huber M. Insect herbivory and plant adaptation in an early successional community*. Evolution 2018; 72:1020-1033. [DOI: 10.1111/evo.13451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anurag A. Agrawal
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca New York 14853
- Department of Entomology Cornell University Ithaca New York 14853
| | - Amy P. Hastings
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca New York 14853
| | - Daniel M. Fines
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca New York 14853
| | - Steve Bogdanowicz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca New York 14853
| | - Meret Huber
- Department of Biochemistry Max‐Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology Jena Germany
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13
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Sperotto RA, Buffon G, Schwambach J, Ricachenevsky FK. Crops Responses to Mite Infestation: It's Time to Look at Plant Tolerance to Meet the Farmers' Needs. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 9:556. [PMID: 29740472 PMCID: PMC5928466 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.00556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Raul A. Sperotto
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology, University of Taquari Valley, Lajeado, Brazil
- Biological Sciences and Health Center, University of Taquari Valley, Lajeado, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Raul A. Sperotto
| | - Giseli Buffon
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology, University of Taquari Valley, Lajeado, Brazil
| | - Joséli Schwambach
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology, University of Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
| | - Felipe K. Ricachenevsky
- Graduate Program in Agrobiology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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14
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A Herbivore Tag-and-Trace System Reveals Contact- and Density-Dependent Repellence of a Root Toxin. J Chem Ecol 2017; 43:295-306. [PMID: 28303526 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-017-0830-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Revised: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Foraging behavior of root feeding organisms strongly affects plant-environment-interactions and ecosystem processes. However, the impact of plant chemistry on root herbivore movement in the soil is poorly understood. Here, we apply a simple technique to trace the movement of soil-dwelling insects in their habitats without disturbing or restricting their interactions with host plants. We tagged the root feeding larvae of Melolontha melolontha with a copper ring and repeatedly located their position in relation to their preferred host plant, Taraxacum officinale, using a commercial metal detector. This method was validated and used to study the influence of the sesquiterpene lactone taraxinic acid β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (TA-G) on the foraging of M. melolontha. TA-G is stored in the latex of T. officinale and protects the roots from herbivory. Using behavioral arenas with TA-G deficient and control plants, we tested the impact of physical root access and plant distance on the effect of TA-G on M. melolontha. The larvae preferred TA-G deficient plants to control plants, but only when physical root contact was possible and the plants were separated by 5 cm. Melolontha melolontha showed no preference for TA-G deficient plants when the plants were grown 15 cm apart, which may indicate a trade-off between the cost of movement and the benefit of consuming less toxic food. We demonstrate that M. melolontha integrates host plant quality and distance into its foraging patterns and suggest that plant chemistry affects root herbivore behavior in a plant-density dependent manner.
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15
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Machado RAR, McClure M, Hervé MR, Baldwin IT, Erb M. Benefits of jasmonate-dependent defenses against vertebrate herbivores in nature. eLife 2016; 5:e13720. [PMID: 27352734 PMCID: PMC4927296 DOI: 10.7554/elife.13720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous jasmonates are important regulators of plant defenses. If and how they enable plants to maintain their reproductive output when facing community-level herbivory under natural conditions, however, remains unknown. We demonstrate that jasmonate-deficient Nicotiana attenuata plants suffer more damage by arthropod and vertebrate herbivores than jasmonate-producing plants in nature. However, only damage by vertebrate herbivores translates into a significant reduction in flower production. Vertebrate stem peeling has the strongest negative impact on plant flower production. Stems are defended by jasmonate-dependent nicotine, and the native cottontail rabbit Sylvilagus nuttallii avoids jasmonate-producing N. attenuata shoots because of their high levels of nicotine. Thus, endogenous jasmonates enable plants to resist different types of herbivores in nature, and jasmonate-dependent defenses are important for plants to maintain their reproductive potential when facing vertebrate herbivory. Ecological and evolutionary models on plant defense signaling should aim at integrating arthropod and vertebrate herbivory at the community level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo AR Machado
- Root-Herbivore Interactions Group, Department of Molecular Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Molecular Ecology, Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Mark McClure
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Washington, United States
| | - Maxime R Hervé
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Institut de Génétique, Environment et Protection des Plantes, Le Rheu, France
| | - Ian T Baldwin
- Department of Molecular Ecology, Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Matthias Erb
- Root-Herbivore Interactions Group, Department of Molecular Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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