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Kessler A, Mueller MB. Induced resistance to herbivory and the intelligent plant. PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR 2024; 19:2345985. [PMID: 38687704 PMCID: PMC11062368 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2024.2345985] [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: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Plant induced responses to environmental stressors are increasingly studied in a behavioral ecology context. This is particularly true for plant induced responses to herbivory that mediate direct and indirect defenses, and tolerance. These seemingly adaptive alterations of plant defense phenotypes in the context of other environmental conditions have led to the discussion of such responses as intelligent behavior. Here we consider the concept of plant intelligence and some of its predictions for chemical information transfer in plant interaction with other organisms. Within this framework, the flow, perception, integration, and storage of environmental information are considered tunable dials that allow plants to respond adaptively to attacking herbivores while integrating past experiences and environmental cues that are predictive of future conditions. The predictive value of environmental information and the costs of acting on false information are important drivers of the evolution of plant responses to herbivory. We identify integrative priming of defense responses as a mechanism that allows plants to mitigate potential costs associated with acting on false information. The priming mechanisms provide short- and long-term memory that facilitates the integration of environmental cues without imposing significant costs. Finally, we discuss the ecological and evolutionary prediction of the plant intelligence hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Kessler
- Cornell University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Michael B. Mueller
- Cornell University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Ithaca, NY, USA
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2
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Moreira X, Martín-Cacheda L, Quiroga G, Lago-Núñez B, Röder G, Abdala-Roberts L. Testing the joint effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and ants on insect herbivory on potato plants. PLANTA 2024; 260:66. [PMID: 39080142 PMCID: PMC11289011 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-024-04492-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION Ants, but not mycorrhizae, significantly affected insect leaf-chewing herbivory on potato plants. However, there was no evidence of mutualistic interactive effects on herbivory. Plants associate with both aboveground and belowground mutualists, two prominent examples being ants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), respectively. While both of these mutualisms have been extensively studied, joint manipulations testing their independent and interactive (non-additive) effects on plants are rare. To address this gap, we conducted a joint test of ant and AMF effects on herbivory by leaf-chewing insects attacking potato (Solanum tuberosum) plants, and further measured plant traits likely mediating mutualist effects on herbivory. In a field experiment, we factorially manipulated the presence of AMF (two levels: control and mycorrhization) and ants (two levels: exclusion and presence) and quantified the concentration of leaf phenolic compounds acting as direct defenses, as well as plant volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions potentially mediating direct (e.g., herbivore repellents) or indirect (e.g., ant attractants) defense. Moreover, we measured ant abundance and performed a dual-choice greenhouse experiment testing for effects of VOC blends (mimicking those emitted by control vs. AMF-inoculated plants) on ant attraction as a mechanism for indirect defense. Ant presence significantly reduced herbivory whereas mycorrhization had no detectable influence on herbivory and mutualist effects operated independently. Plant trait measurements indicated that mycorrhization had no effect on leaf phenolics but significantly increased VOC emissions. However, mycorrhization did not affect ant abundance and there was no evidence of AMF effects on herbivory operating via ant-mediated defense. Consistently, the dual-choice assay showed no effect of AMF-induced volatile blends on ant attraction. Together, these results suggest that herbivory on potato plants responds mainly to top-down (ant-mediated) rather than bottom-up (AMF-mediated) control, an asymmetry in effects which could have precluded mutualist non-additive effects on herbivory. Further research on this, as well as other plant systems, is needed to examine the ecological contexts under which mutualist interactive effects are more or less likely to emerge and their impacts on plant fitness and associated communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xoaquín Moreira
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado de Correos 28, 36080, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain.
| | - Lucía Martín-Cacheda
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado de Correos 28, 36080, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
| | - Gabriela Quiroga
- Centro de Investigaciones Agrarias de Mabegondo (CIAM), Apartado de Correos 10, 15080 A, Coruña, Spain
| | - Beatriz Lago-Núñez
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado de Correos 28, 36080, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
| | - Gregory Röder
- Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Luis Abdala-Roberts
- Departamento de Ecología Tropical, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Apartado Postal 4-116, Itzimná, 97000, Mérida, Yucatán, México
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3
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Escobar-Bravo R, Schimmel BCJ, Zhang Y, Wang L, Robert CAM, Glauser G, Ballaré CL, Erb M. Far-red light increases maize volatile emissions in response to volatile cues from neighbouring plants. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2024. [PMID: 38872585 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Plants perceive the presence and defence status of their neighbours through light and volatile cues, but how plants integrate both stimuli is poorly understood. We investigated if and how low Red to Far red light (R:FR) ratios, indicative of shading or canopy closure, affect maize (Zea mays) responses to herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs), including the green leaf volatile (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate. We modulated light signalling and perception by using FR supplementation and a phyB1phyB2 mutant, and we determined volatile release as a response readout. To gain mechanistic insights, we examined expression of volatile biosynthesis genes, hormone accumulation, and photosynthesis. Exposure to a full blend of HIPVs or (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate induced maize volatile release. Short-term FR supplementation increased this response. In contrast, prolonged FR supplementation or constitutive phytochrome B inactivation in phyB1phyB2 plants showed the opposite response. Short-term FR supplementation enhanced photosynthesis and stomatal conductance and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate-induced JA-Ile levels. We conclude that a FR-enriched light environment can prompt maize plants to respond more strongly to HIPVs emitted by neighbours, which might be explained by changes in photosynthetic processes and phytochrome B signalling. Our findings reveal interactive responses to light and volatile cues with potentially important consequences for plant-plant and plant-herbivore interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yaqin Zhang
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lei Wang
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Gaétan Glauser
- Neuchâtel Platform of Analytical Chemistry, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Carlos L Ballaré
- Facultad de Agronomía, Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura (IFEVA) and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- 2IIBio, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Matthias Erb
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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4
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Thompson MN, Arriaga J, Bradford BJ, Kurian R, Strozier G, Helms AM. Belowground insect herbivory induces systemic volatile emissions that strengthen neighbouring plant resistance aboveground. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2024; 47:714-725. [PMID: 37961782 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Plants transmit ecologically relevant messages to neighbouring plants through chemical cues. For instance, insect herbivory triggers the production of herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs), which can enhance neighbouring plant defences. HIPVs are emitted from directly damaged plant tissues and from systemic, nondamaged tissues. Although volatile-mediated interplant interactions have been observed both above- and belowground, it remains unknown whether belowground herbivory induces systemic HIPVs aboveground that influence neighbouring plants. To explore how belowground herbivory affects interplant interactions aboveground, we characterised systemic HIPVs from squash induced by belowground striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum) larval herbivory. We exposed squash 'receiver plants' to systemic HIPVs or volatiles from nondamaged plants. We then measured herbivore resistance by challenging 'receiver plants' with aboveground-feeding herbivores: adult beetles (A. vittatum) or squash bugs (Anasa tristis). We discovered belowground-damaged plants emitted more (E)-β-ocimene, a key volatile from the systemic HIPV blend, than nondamaged controls, and that exposure to systemic HIPVs enhanced neighbouring plant resistance to aboveground squash bugs, but not adult beetles. Further investigations into the mechanism of interplant interaction revealed β-ocimene alone can elicit plant resistance against squash bugs. Overall, our findings reveal a novel form of volatile-mediated interactions between plants spanning across aboveground-belowground plant systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan N Thompson
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Jayda Arriaga
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Interdisciplinary Program, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - B Jack Bradford
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Rachel Kurian
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Gage Strozier
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Anjel M Helms
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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5
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Ahmad N, Xu Y, Zang F, Li D, Liu Z. The evolutionary trajectories of specialized metabolites towards antiviral defense system in plants. MOLECULAR HORTICULTURE 2024; 4:2. [PMID: 38212862 PMCID: PMC10785382 DOI: 10.1186/s43897-023-00078-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Viral infections in plants pose major challenges to agriculture and global food security in the twenty-first century. Plants have evolved a diverse range of specialized metabolites (PSMs) for defenses against pathogens. Although, PSMs-mediated plant-microorganism interactions have been widely discovered, these are mainly confined to plant-bacteria or plant-fungal interactions. PSM-mediated plant-virus interaction, however, is more complicated often due to the additional involvement of virus spreading vectors. Here, we review the major classes of PSMs and their emerging roles involved in antiviral resistances. In addition, evolutionary scenarios for PSM-mediated interactions between plant, virus and virus-transmitting vectors are presented. These advancements in comprehending the biochemical language of PSMs during plant-virus interactions not only lay the foundation for understanding potential co-evolution across life kingdoms, but also open a gateway to the fundamental principles of biological control strategies and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveed Ahmad
- Joint Center for Single Cell Biology, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Agri-Seeds, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yi Xu
- Department of Plant Pathology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
- Key Laboratory of Soybean Disease and Pest Control (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Faheng Zang
- National Key Laboratory of Advanced Micro and Nano Manufacture Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Dapeng Li
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS-JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences (CEPMS), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhenhua Liu
- Joint Center for Single Cell Biology, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Agri-Seeds, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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6
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Deng Y, Yu X, Yin J, Chen L, Zhao N, Gao Y, Ren A. Epichloë Endophyte Enhanced Insect Resistance of Host Grass Leymus Chinensis by Affecting Volatile Organic Compound Emissions. J Chem Ecol 2023:10.1007/s10886-023-01459-6. [PMID: 37917413 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-023-01459-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
In plant-herbivore interactions, plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play an important role in anti-herbivore defense. Grasses and Epichloë endophytes often form defensive mutualistic symbioses. Most Epichloë species produce alkaloids to protect hosts from herbivores, but there is no strong evidence that endophytes can affect the insect resistance of their hosts by altering VOC emissions. In this study, a native dominant grass, sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis), and its herbivore, oriental migratory locust (Locusta migratoria), were used as experimental materials. We studied the effect of endophyte-associated VOC emissions on the insect resistance of L. chinensis. The results showed that endophyte infection enhanced insect resistance of the host, and locusts preferred the odor of endophyte-free (EF) leaves to that of endophyte-infected (EI) leaves. We determined the VOC profile of L. chinensis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and found that endophyte infection decreased the pentadecane (an alkane) emission from uneaten plants, and increased the nonanal (an aldehyde) emission from eaten plants. The olfactory response experiment showed that locusts were attracted by high concentration of pentadecane, while repelled by high concentration of nonanal, indicating that Epichloë endophytes may increase locust resistance of L. chinensis by decreasing pentadecane while increasing nonanal emission. Our results suggest that endophytes can induce VOC-mediated defense in hosts in addition to producing alkaloids, contributing to a better understanding the endophyte-plant-herbivore interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongkang Deng
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Xinhe Yu
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Jiaqi Yin
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Lei Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Nianxi Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Yubao Gao
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Anzhi Ren
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
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7
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Gong Q, Wang Y, He L, Huang F, Zhang D, Wang Y, Wei X, Han M, Deng H, Luo L, Cui F, Hong Y, Liu Y. Molecular basis of methyl-salicylate-mediated plant airborne defence. Nature 2023; 622:139-148. [PMID: 37704724 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06533-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Aphids transmit viruses and are destructive crop pests1. Plants that have been attacked by aphids release volatile compounds to elicit airborne defence (AD) in neighbouring plants2-5. However, the mechanism underlying AD is unclear. Here we reveal that methyl-salicylate (MeSA), salicylic acid-binding protein-2 (SABP2), the transcription factor NAC2 and salicylic acid-carboxylmethyltransferase-1 (SAMT1) form a signalling circuit to mediate AD against aphids and viruses. Airborne MeSA is perceived and converted into salicylic acid by SABP2 in neighbouring plants. Salicylic acid then causes a signal transduction cascade to activate the NAC2-SAMT1 module for MeSA biosynthesis to induce plant anti-aphid immunity and reduce virus transmission. To counteract this, some aphid-transmitted viruses encode helicase-containing proteins to suppress AD by interacting with NAC2 to subcellularly relocalize and destabilize NAC2. As a consequence, plants become less repellent to aphids, and more suitable for aphid survival, infestation and viral transmission. Our findings uncover the mechanistic basis of AD and an aphid-virus co-evolutionary mutualism, demonstrating AD as a potential bioinspired strategy to control aphids and viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Gong
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yunjing Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Linfang He
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Danfeng Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiang Wei
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Han
- Protein Research Technology Center, Protein Chemistry and Omics Platform, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Haiteng Deng
- Protein Research Technology Center, Protein Chemistry and Omics Platform, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Lan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yiguo Hong
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation and College of Horticulture, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
- Research Centre for Plant RNA Signaling, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
- School of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester, Worcester, UK
| | - Yule Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Briones-May Y, Quijano-Medina T, Pérez-Niño B, Benrey B, Turlings TCJ, Bustos-Segura C, Abdala-Roberts L. Soil salinization disrupts plant-plant signaling effects on extra-floral nectar induction in wild cotton. Oecologia 2023:10.1007/s00442-023-05395-w. [PMID: 37278768 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05395-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Plant-plant interactions via volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have received much attention, but how abiotic stresses affect these interactions is poorly understood. We tested the effect of VOCs exposure from damaged conspecifics on the production of extra-floral nectar (EFN) in wild cotton plants (Gossypium hirsutum), a coastal species in northern Yucatan (Mexico), and whether soil salinization affected these responses. We placed plants in mesh cages, and within each cage assigned plants as emitters or receivers. We exposed emitters to either ambient or augmented soil salinity to simulate a salinity shock, and within each group subjected half of the emitters to no damage or artificial leaf damage with caterpillar regurgitant. Damage increased the emission of sesquiterpenes and aromatic compounds under ambient but not under augmented salinity. Correspondingly, exposure to VOCs from damaged emitters had effect on receiver EFN induction, but this effect was contingent on salinization. Receivers produced more EFN in response to damage after being exposed to VOCs from damaged emitters when the latter were grown under ambient salinity, but not when they were subjected to salinization. These results suggest complex effects of abiotic factors on VOC-mediated plant interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeyson Briones-May
- Departamento de Ecología Tropical, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Apartado Postal 4-116, Itzimná, 97000, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Teresa Quijano-Medina
- Departamento de Ecología Tropical, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Apartado Postal 4-116, Itzimná, 97000, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Biiniza Pérez-Niño
- Departamento de Ecología Tropical, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Apartado Postal 4-116, Itzimná, 97000, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Betty Benrey
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Entomology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Ted C J Turlings
- Laboratory of Fundamental and Applied Research in Chemical Ecology (FARCE Lab), Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Carlos Bustos-Segura
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Entomology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Fundamental and Applied Research in Chemical Ecology (FARCE Lab), Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Luis Abdala-Roberts
- Departamento de Ecología Tropical, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Apartado Postal 4-116, Itzimná, 97000, Mérida, Yucatán, México.
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9
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Kessler A, Mueller MB, Kalske A, Chautá A. Volatile-mediated plant-plant communication and higher-level ecological dynamics. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R519-R529. [PMID: 37279686 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in general and herbivory-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) in particular are increasingly understood as major mediators of information transfer between plant tissues. Recent findings have moved the field of plant communication closer to a detailed understanding of how plants emit and perceive VOCs and seem to converge on a model that juxtaposes perception and emission mechanisms. These new mechanistic insights help to explain how plants can integrate different types of information and how environmental noise can affect the transmission of information. At the same time, ever-new functions of VOC-mediated plant-plant interactions are being revealed. Chemical information transfer between plants is now known to fundamentally affect plant organismal interactions and, additionally, population, community, and ecosystem dynamics. One of the most exciting new developments places plant-plant interactions along a behavioral continuum with an eavesdropping strategy at one end and mutually beneficial information-sharing among plants within a population at the other. Most importantly and based on recent findings as well as theoretical models, plant populations can be predicted to evolve different communication strategies depending on their interaction environment. We use recent studies from ecological model systems to illustrate this context dependency of plant communication. Moreover, we review recent key findings about the mechanisms and functions of HIPV-mediated information transfer and suggest conceptual links, such as to information theory and behavioral game theory, as valuable tools for a deeper understanding of how plant-plant communication affects ecological and evolutionary dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Kessler
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| | - Michael B Mueller
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Aino Kalske
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
| | - Alexander Chautá
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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10
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Estarague A, Violle C, Vile D, Hany A, Martino T, Moulin P, Vasseur F. Plant–herbivore interactions: Experimental demonstration of genetic variability in plant–plant signalling. Evol Appl 2023; 16:772-780. [PMID: 37124083 PMCID: PMC10130558 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant-herbivore interactions mediated by plant-plant signalling have been documented in different species but its within-species variability has hardly been quantified. Here, we tested if herbivore foraging activity on plants was influenced by a prior contact with a damaged plant and if the effect of such plant-plant signalling was variable across 113 natural genotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana. We filmed the activity of the generalist herbivore Cornu aspersum during 1 h on two plants differing only in a prior contact with a damaged plant or not. We recorded each snails' first choice, and measured its first duration on a plant, the proportion of time spent on both plants and leaf consumption. Overall, plant-plant signalling modified the foraging activity of herbivores in A. thaliana. On average, snails spent more time and consumed more of plants that experienced a prior contact with a damaged plant. However, the effects of plant-plant signalling on snail behaviour was variable: depending on genotype identity, plant-plant signalling made undamaged plants more repellant or attractive to snails. Genome-wide associations revealed that genes related to stress coping ability and jasmonate pathway were associated to this variation. Together, our findings highlight the adaptive significance of plant-plant signalling for plant-herbivore interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélien Estarague
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRDMontpellierFrance
- LEPSE, Univ Montpellier, INRAE, Institut AgroMontpellierFrance
| | - Cyrille Violle
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRDMontpellierFrance
| | - Denis Vile
- LEPSE, Univ Montpellier, INRAE, Institut AgroMontpellierFrance
| | - Anaïs Hany
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRDMontpellierFrance
| | | | - Pierre Moulin
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRDMontpellierFrance
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11
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Cascone P, Vuts J, Birkett MA, Dewhirst S, Rasmann S, Pickett JA, Guerrieri E. L-DOPA functions as a plant pheromone for belowground anti-herbivory communication. Ecol Lett 2023; 26:460-469. [PMID: 36708055 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
While mechanisms of plant-plant communication for alerting neighbouring plants of an imminent insect herbivore attack have been described aboveground via the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), we are yet to decipher the specific components of plant-plant signalling belowground. Using bioassay-guided fractionation, we isolated and identified the non-protein amino acid l-DOPA, released from roots of Acyrtosiphon pisum aphid-infested Vicia faba plants, as an active compound in triggering the production of VOCs released aboveground in uninfested plants. In behavioural assays, we show that after contact with l-DOPA, healthy plants become highly attractive to the aphid parasitoid (Aphidius ervi), as if they were infested by aphids. We conclude that l-DOPA, originally described as a brain neurotransmitter precursor, can also enhance immunity in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Cascone
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Naples, Italy
| | - Jozsef Vuts
- Biointeractions and Crop Protection Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK
| | - Michael A Birkett
- Biointeractions and Crop Protection Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK
| | | | - Sergio Rasmann
- Institute of Biology, University of Neuchatel, Neuchatel, Switzerland
| | | | - Emilio Guerrieri
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Naples, Italy
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Torino, Italy
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12
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Martín-Cacheda L, Vázquez-González C, Rasmann S, Röder G, Abdala-Roberts L, Moreira X. Plant genetic relatedness and volatile-mediated signalling between Solanum tuberosum plants in response to herbivory by Spodoptera exigua. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2023; 206:113561. [PMID: 36513136 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
It has been proposed that plant-plant signalling via herbivore-induced volatile organic compounds (VOCs) should be stronger between closely related than unrelated plants. However, empirical tests remain limited and few studies have provided detailed assessments of induced changes in VOCs emissions across plant genotypes to explain genetic relatedness effects. In this study, we tested whether airborne signalling in response to herbivory between Solanum tuberosum (potato) plants was contingent on plant genetic relatedness, and further investigated genotypic variation in VOCs potentially underlying signalling and its contingency on relatedness. We carried out a greenhouse experiment using 15 S. tuberosum varieties placing pairs of plants in plastic cages, i.e. an emitter and a receiver, where both plants were of the same genotype or different genotype thereby testing for self-recognition, an elemental form genetic relatedness effects. Then, for half of the cages within each level of relatedness the emitter plant was damaged by Spodoptera exigua larvae whereas for the other half the emitter was not damaged. Three days later, we placed S. exigua larvae on receivers to test for emitter VOC effects on leaf consumption and larval weight gain (i.e. induced resistance). In addition, we used a second group of plants subjected to the same induction treatment with the same S. tuberosum varieties to test for herbivore-induced changes in VOC emissions and variation in VOC emissions among these plant genotypes. We found that herbivory drove changes in VOC composition but not total emissions, and also observed quantitative and qualitative variation in constitutive and induced VOC emissions among varieties. Results from the bioassay showed that the amount of leaf area consumed and larval weight gain on receiver plants exposed to damaged emitters were significantly lower compared to mean values on receivers exposed to control emitters. However, and despite genotypic variation in induced VOCs, this signalling effect was not contingent on plant genetic relatedness. These findings provide evidence of VOCs-mediated signalling between S. tuberosum plants in response to S. exigua damage, but no evidence of self-recognition effects in signalling contingent on variation in VOC emissions among S. tuberosum varieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Martín-Cacheda
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado de correos 28, 36080 Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain.
| | - Carla Vázquez-González
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado de correos 28, 36080 Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California-Irvine, 92697 Irvine, California, USA
| | - Sergio Rasmann
- Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Gregory Röder
- Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Luis Abdala-Roberts
- Departamento de Ecología Tropical, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Apartado Postal 4-116, Itzimná. 97000. Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Xoaquín Moreira
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado de correos 28, 36080 Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain.
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13
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Vázquez-González C, Quiroga V, Martín-Cacheda L, Rasmann S, Röder G, Abdala-Roberts L, Moreira X. Effect of herbivore load on VOC-mediated plant communication in potato. PLANTA 2023; 257:42. [PMID: 36683092 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-023-04075-6] [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: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
VOC emissions increased with herbivore load, but this did not result in concomitant increases in resistance in neighbouring plants, suggesting that communication occurred independently of herbivore load in emitter plants. Herbivore-damaged plants emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can alert neighbours and boost their resistance. While VOC-mediated plant communication has been shown to be herbivore-specific, we know little about its contingency on variation in herbivore load. To address this knowledge gap, we tested herbivore load effects on VOC-mediated communication between potato plants (Solanum tuberosum) using the generalist herbivore Spodoptera exigua. First, we tested whether herbivore load (three levels: undamaged control, low, and high load) affected total VOC emissions and composition. Second, we matched emitter and receiver plants and subjected emitters to the same herbivore load treatments. Finally, we performed a bioassay with S. exigua on receivers to test for induced resistance due to VOC-mediated communication. We found that herbivory significantly increased total VOC emissions relative to control plants, and that such increase was greater under high herbivore load. In contrast, we found no detectable effect of herbivory, regardless of the load, on VOC composition. The communication experiment showed that VOCs released by herbivore-induced emitters boosted resistance in receivers (i.e., lower leaf damage than receivers exposed to VOCs released by control emitters), but the magnitude of such effect was similar for both levels of emitter herbivore load. These findings suggest that changes in VOCs due to variation in herbivore load do not modify the outcomes of plant communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Vázquez-González
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado de Correos 28, 36080, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain.
| | - Violeta Quiroga
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado de Correos 28, 36080, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
| | - Lucía Martín-Cacheda
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado de Correos 28, 36080, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
| | - Sergio Rasmann
- Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Gregory Röder
- Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Luis Abdala-Roberts
- Departamento de Ecología Tropical, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Apartado Postal 4-116, Itzimná, 97000, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Xoaquín Moreira
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado de Correos 28, 36080, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
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14
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Takabayashi J. Herbivory-Induced Plant Volatiles Mediate Multitrophic Relationships in Ecosystems. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 63:1344-1355. [PMID: 35866611 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcac107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Herbivory-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) are involved in biotic interactions among plants as well as herbivorous and carnivorous arthropods. This review looks at the specificity in plant-carnivore communication mediated by specific blends of HIPVs as well as describes plant-herbivore and plant-plant communication mediated by specific HIPVs. Factors affecting the net benefits of HIPV production have also been examined. These specific means of communication results in high complexity in the 'interaction-information network', which should be explored further to elucidate the mechanism underlying the numerous species coexisting in ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junji Takabayashi
- Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, 2-509-3, Hirano, Otsu, Shiga, 520-2113 Japan
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15
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Vázquez‐González C, Pombo‐Salinas L, Martín‐Cacheda L, Rasmann S, Röder G, Abdala‐Roberts L, Mooney KA, Moreira X. Effect of water availability on volatile‐mediated communication between potato plants in response to insect herbivory. Funct Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.14159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carla Vázquez‐González
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California‐Irvine California USA
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG‐CSIC), Apartado de correos 28, 36080 Pontevedra Galicia Spain
| | - Laura Pombo‐Salinas
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG‐CSIC), Apartado de correos 28, 36080 Pontevedra Galicia Spain
| | - Lucía Martín‐Cacheda
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG‐CSIC), Apartado de correos 28, 36080 Pontevedra Galicia Spain
| | - Sergio Rasmann
- Institute of Biology University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile‐Argand 11 Neuchâtel Switzerland
| | - Gregory Röder
- Institute of Biology University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile‐Argand 11 Neuchâtel Switzerland
| | - Luis Abdala‐Roberts
- Departamento de Ecología Tropical, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Apartado Postal 4‐116, Itzimná. 97000. Mérida Yucatán México
| | - Kailen A. Mooney
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California‐Irvine California USA
| | - Xoaquín Moreira
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG‐CSIC), Apartado de correos 28, 36080 Pontevedra Galicia Spain
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16
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Ashra H, Nair S. Review: Trait plasticity during plant-insect interactions: From molecular mechanisms to impact on community dynamics. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 317:111188. [PMID: 35193737 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2022.111188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity, prevalent in all domains of life, enables organisms to cope with unpredictable or novel changes in their growing environment. Plants represent an interesting example of phenotypic plasticity which also directly represents and affects the dynamics of biological interactions occurring in a community. Insects, which interact with plants, manifest phenotypic plasticity in their developmental, physiological, morphological or behavioral traits in response to the various host plant defenses induced upon herbivory. However, plant-insect interactions are generally more complex and multidimensional because of their dynamic association with their respective microbiomes and macrobiomes. Moreover, these associations can alter plant and insect responses towards each other by modulating the degree of phenotypic plasticity in their various traits and studying them will provide insights into how plants and insects reciprocally affect each other's evolutionary trajectory. Further, we explore the consequences of phenotypic plasticity on relationships and interactions between plants and insects and its impact on their development, evolution, speciation and ecological organization. This overview, obtained after exploring and comparing data obtained from several inter-disciplinary studies, reveals how genetic and molecular mechanisms, underlying plasticity in traits, impact species interactions at the community level and also identifies mechanisms that could be exploited in breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himani Ashra
- Plant-Insect Interaction Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Suresh Nair
- Plant-Insect Interaction Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110 067, India.
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17
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Galmán A, Vázquez‐González C, Röder G, Castagneyrol B. Interactive effects of tree species composition and water availability on growth and direct and indirect defences in
Quercus ilex. OIKOS 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.09125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Galmán
- Misión Biológica de Galicia, National Spanish Research Council (CSIC) Pontevedra Spain
- Inst. of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther Univ. Halle‐Wittenberg Germany
| | - Carla Vázquez‐González
- Misión Biológica de Galicia, National Spanish Research Council (CSIC) Pontevedra Spain
- Dept of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Univ. of California Irvine CA USA
| | - Gregory Röder
- Inst. of Biology, Univ. of Neuchâtel Neuchâtel Switzerland
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18
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Li X, Zhang J, Lin S, Xing Y, Zhang X, Ye M, Chang Y, Guo H, Sun X. (+)-Catechin, epicatechin and epigallocatechin gallate are important inducible defensive compounds against Ectropis grisescens in tea plants. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2022; 45:496-511. [PMID: 34719788 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The tea plant, Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze, is an economically important, perennial woody plant rich in catechins. Although catechins have been reported to play an important role in plant defences against microbes, their roles in the defence of tea plants against herbivores remain unknown. In this study, we allowed the larvae of Ectropis grisescens, a leaf-feeding pest, to feed on the plants, and alternatively, we wounded the plants and then treated them with E. grisescens oral secretions (WOS). Both approaches triggered jasmonic acid-, ethylene- and auxin-mediated signalling pathways; as a result, plants accumulated three catechin compounds: (+)-catechin, epicatechin and epigallocatechin. Not only was the mass of E. grisescens larvae fed on plants previously infested with E. grisescens or treated with WOS significantly lower than that of larvae fed on controls, but also artificial diet supplemented with epicatechin, (+)-catechin or epigallocatechin gallate reduced larval growth rates. In addition, the exogenous application of jasmonic acid, ethylene or auxin induced the biosynthesis of the three catechins, which, in turn, enhanced the resistance of tea plants to E. grisescens, leading to the coordination of the three signalling pathways. Our results suggest that the three catechins play an important role in the defences of tea plants against E. grisescens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiwang Li
- National Center for Tea Plant Improvement, Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- National Center for Tea Plant Improvement, Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou, China
| | - Songbo Lin
- National Center for Tea Plant Improvement, Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuxian Xing
- National Center for Tea Plant Improvement, Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- National Center for Tea Plant Improvement, Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou, China
| | - Meng Ye
- National Center for Tea Plant Improvement, Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yali Chang
- National Center for Tea Plant Improvement, Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huawei Guo
- National Center for Tea Plant Improvement, Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoling Sun
- National Center for Tea Plant Improvement, Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou, China
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19
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Rubene D, Urhan U, Ninkovic V, Brodin A. Great Tits Learn Odors and Colors Equally Well, and Show No Predisposition for Herbivore-Induced Plant Volatiles. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.800057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ability to efficiently localize productive foraging habitat is crucial for nesting success of insectivorous birds. Some bird species can use olfaction to identify caterpillar-infested trees by detection of herbivore induced plant volatiles (HIPVs), but these cues probably need to be learned. So far, we know very little about the process of olfactory learning in birds, whether insectivorous species have a predisposition for detecting and learning HIPVs, due to the high ecological significance of these odors, and how olfaction is integrated with vision in making foraging decisions. In a standardized setup, we tested whether 35 wild-caught great tits (Parus major) show any preference for widely abundant HIPVs compared to neutral (non-induced) plant odors, how fast they learn to associate olfactory, visual and multimodal foraging cues with food, and whether the olfactory preferences and learning speed were influenced by bird sex or habitat (urban or rural). We also tested how fast birds switch to a new cue of the same modality. Great tits showed no initial preference for HIPVs compared to neutral odors, and they learned all olfactory cues at a similar pace, except for methyl salicylate (MeSA), which they learned more slowly. We also found no differences in learning speeds between visual, olfactory and multimodal foraging cues, but birds learned the second cue they were offered faster than the first one. Bird sex or habitat had no effect on learning speed or olfactory preference, but urban birds tended to learn visual cues more slowly. We conclude that insectivorous birds utilize olfactory and visual cues with similar efficiency in foraging, and that they probably don‘t have any special predisposition toward the tested HIPVs. These results confirm that great tits are flexible foragers with good learning abilities.
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20
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Frago E, Gols R, Schweiger R, Müller C, Dicke M, Godfray HCJ. Herbivore-induced plant volatiles, not natural enemies, mediate a positive indirect interaction between insect herbivores. Oecologia 2022; 198:443-456. [PMID: 35001172 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-021-05097-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Many insect herbivores engage in apparent competition whereby two species interact through shared natural enemies. Upon insect attack, plants release volatile blends that attract natural enemies, but whether these volatiles mediate apparent competition between herbivores is not yet known. We investigate the role of volatiles that are emitted by bean plants upon infestation by Acyrthosiphon pisum aphids on the population dynamics and fitness of Sitobion avenae aphids, and on wheat phloem sap metabolites. In a field experiment, the dynamics of S. avenae aphids on wheat were studied by crossing two treatments: exposure of aphid colonies to A. pisum-induced bean volatiles and exclusion of natural enemies. Glasshouse experiments and analyses of primary metabolites in wheat phloem exudates were performed to better understand the results from the field experiment. In the field, bean volatiles did not affect S. avenae dynamics or survival when aphids were exposed to natural enemies. When protected from them, however, volatiles led to larger aphid colonies. In agreement with this observation, in glasshouse experiments, aphid-induced bean volatiles increased the survival of S. avenae aphids on wheat plants, but not on an artificial diet. This suggests that volatiles may benefit S. avenae colonies via metabolic changes in wheat plants, although we did not find any effect on wheat phloem exudate composition. We report a potential case of associational susceptibility whereby plant volatiles weaken the defences of receiving plants, thus leading to increased herbivore performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Frago
- CIRAD, UMR CBGP, 755 avenue du campus Agropolis-CS30016, Montferrier sur lez cedex, 34988, Montpellier, France.
| | - R Gols
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - R Schweiger
- Department of Chemical Ecology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - C Müller
- Department of Chemical Ecology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - M Dicke
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - H C J Godfray
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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21
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Marmolejo LO, Thompson MN, Helms AM. Defense Suppression through Interplant Communication Depends on the Attacking Herbivore Species. J Chem Ecol 2021; 47:1049-1061. [PMID: 34541611 PMCID: PMC8642252 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-021-01314-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In response to herbivory, plants emit volatile compounds that play important roles in plant defense. Herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) can deter herbivores, recruit natural enemies, and warn other plants of possible herbivore attack. Following HIPV detection, neighboring plants often respond by enhancing their anti-herbivore defenses, but a recent study found that herbivores can manipulate HIPV-interplant communication for their own benefit and suppress defenses in neighboring plants. Herbivores induce species-specific blends of HIPVs and how these different blends affect the specificity of plant defense responses remains unclear. Here we assessed how HIPVs from zucchini plants (Cucurbita pepo) challenged with different herbivore species affect resistance in neighboring plants. Volatile "emitter" plants were damaged by one of three herbivore species: saltmarsh caterpillars (Estigmene acrea), squash bugs (Anasa tristis), or striped cucumber beetles (Acalymma vittatum), or were left as undamaged controls. Neighboring "receiver" plants were exposed to HIPVs or control volatiles and then challenged by the associated herbivore species. As measures of plant resistance, we quantified herbivore feeding damage and defense-related phytohormones in receivers. We found that the three herbivore species induced different HIPV blends from squash plants. HIPVs induced by saltmarsh caterpillars suppressed defenses in receivers, leading to greater herbivory and lower defense induction compared to controls. In contrast, HIPVs induced by cucumber beetles and squash bugs did not affect plant resistance to subsequent herbivory in receivers. Our study shows that herbivore species identity affects volatile-mediated interplant communication in zucchini, revealing a new example of herbivore defense suppression through volatile cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura O Marmolejo
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-2475, USA
| | - Morgan N Thompson
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-2475, USA
| | - Anjel M Helms
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-2475, USA.
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22
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Species-Specific Induction of Plant Volatiles by Two Aphid Species in Apple: Real Time Measurement of Plant Emission and Attraction of Lacewings in the Wind Tunnel. J Chem Ecol 2021; 47:653-663. [PMID: 34196858 PMCID: PMC8346424 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-021-01288-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/30/2022]
Abstract
Upon damage by herbivores, plants release herbivory-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs). To find their prey, the pest's natural enemies need to be fine-tuned to the composition of these volatiles. Whereas standard methods can be used in the identification and quantitation of HIPVs, more recently introduced techniques such as PTR-ToF-MS provide temporal patterns of the volatile release and detect additional compounds. In this study, we compared the volatile profile of apple trees infested with two aphid species, the green apple aphid Aphis pomi, and the rosy apple aphid Dysaphis plantaginea, by CLSA-GC-MS complemented by PTR-ToF-MS. Compounds commonly released in conjunction with both species include nonanal, decanal, methyl salicylate, geranyl acetone, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, (Z)-3-hexenyl butanoate, (Z)-3-hexenyl 2-methyl-butanoate, (E)-β-caryophyllene, β-bourbonene and (Z)-3-hexenyl benzoate. In addition, benzaldehyde and (E)-β-farnesene were exclusively associated with A. pomi, whereas linalool, (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene were exclusively associated with D. plantaginea. PTR-ToF-MS additionally detected acetic acid (AA) and 2-phenylethanol (PET) in the blends of both trees attacked by aphid species. In the wind tunnel, the aphid predator, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens), responded strongly to a blend of AA and PET, much stronger than to AA or PET alone. The addition of common and species-specific HIPVs did not increase the response to the binary blend of AA and PET. In our setup, two host-associated volatiles AA + PET appeared sufficient in the attraction of C. carnea. Our results also show the importance of combining complementary methods to decipher the odor profile associated with plants under pest attack and identify behaviourally active components for predators.
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Sedio BE, Spasojevic MJ, Myers JA, Wright SJ, Person MD, Chandrasekaran H, Dwenger JH, Prechi ML, López CA, Allen DN, Anderson-Teixeira KJ, Baltzer JL, Bourg NA, Castillo BT, Day NJ, Dewald-Wang E, Dick CW, James TY, Kueneman JG, LaManna J, Lutz JA, McGregor IR, McMahon SM, Parker GG, Parker JD, Vandermeer JH. Chemical Similarity of Co-occurring Trees Decreases With Precipitation and Temperature in North American Forests. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.679638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant diversity varies immensely over large-scale gradients in temperature, precipitation, and seasonality at global and regional scales. This relationship may be driven in part by climatic variation in the relative importance of abiotic and biotic interactions to the diversity and composition of plant communities. In particular, biotic interactions may become stronger and more host specific with increasing precipitation and temperature, resulting in greater plant species richness in wetter and warmer environments. This hypothesis predicts that the many defensive compounds found in plants’ metabolomes should increase in richness and decrease in interspecific similarity with precipitation, temperature, and plant diversity. To test this prediction, we compared patterns of chemical and morphological trait diversity of 140 woody plant species among seven temperate forests in North America representing 16.2°C variation in mean annual temperature (MAT), 2,115 mm variation in mean annual precipitation (MAP), and from 10 to 68 co-occurring species. We used untargeted metabolomics methods based on data generated with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to identify, classify, and compare 13,480 unique foliar metabolites and to quantify the metabolomic similarity of species in each community with respect to the whole metabolome and each of five broad classes of metabolites. In addition, we compiled morphological trait data from existing databases and field surveys for three commonly measured traits (specific leaf area [SLA], wood density, and seed mass) for comparison with foliar metabolomes. We found that chemical defense strategies and growth and allocation strategies reflected by these traits largely represented orthogonal axes of variation. In addition, functional dispersion of SLA increased with MAP, whereas functional richness of wood density and seed mass increased with MAT. In contrast, chemical similarity of co-occurring species decreased with both MAT and MAP, and metabolite richness increased with MAT. Variation in metabolite richness among communities was positively correlated with species richness, but variation in mean chemical similarity was not. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that plant metabolomes play a more important role in community assembly in wetter and warmer climates, even at temperate latitudes, and suggest that metabolomic traits can provide unique insight to studies of trait-based community assembly.
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Sharifi R, Ryu C. Social networking in crop plants: Wired and wireless cross-plant communications. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2021; 44:1095-1110. [PMID: 33274469 PMCID: PMC8049059 DOI: 10.1111/pce.13966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The plant-associated microbial community (microbiome) has an important role in plant-plant communications. Plants decipher their complex habitat situations by sensing the environmental stimuli and molecular patterns and associated with microbes, herbivores and dangers. Perception of these cues generates inter/intracellular signals that induce modifications of plant metabolism and physiology. Signals can also be transferred between plants via different mechanisms, which we classify as wired- and wireless communications. Wired communications involve direct signal transfers between plants mediated by mycorrhizal hyphae and parasitic plant stems. Wireless communications involve plant volatile emissions and root exudates elicited by microbes/insects, which enable inter-plant signalling without physical contact. These producer-plant signals induce microbiome adaptation in receiver plants via facilitative or competitive mechanisms. Receiver plants eavesdrop to anticipate responses to improve fitness against stresses. An emerging body of information in plant-plant communication can be leveraged to improve integrated crop management under field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rouhallah Sharifi
- Department of Plant ProtectionCollege of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Razi UniversityKermanshahIran
| | - Choong‐Min Ryu
- Molecular Phytobacteriology LaboratoryInfectious Disease Research Center, KRIBBDaejeonSouth Korea
- Biosystem and Bioengineering ProgramUniversity of Science and Technology (UST)DaejeonSouth Korea
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25
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Moreira X, Granjel RR, de la Fuente M, Fernández-Conradi P, Pasch V, Soengas P, Turlings TCJ, Vázquez-González C, Abdala-Roberts L, Rasmann S. Apparent inhibition of induced plant volatiles by a fungal pathogen prevents airborne communication between potato plants. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2021; 44:1192-1201. [PMID: 33244762 DOI: 10.1111/pce.13961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Plant communication in response to insect herbivory has been increasingly studied, whereas that involving pathogen attack has received much less attention. We tested for communication between potato (Solanum tuberosum) plants in response to leaf infection by the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. To this end, we measured the total amount and composition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by control and infected emitter plants, as well as tested for induced resistance of receiver plants exposed to VOCs from emitters. We further tested for changes in the expression of defensive genes due to pathogen infection. Fungal infection did not significantly affect the total amount or composition of VOCs produced by emitter plants. Correspondingly, we found no evidence of higher resistance to the pathogen in receiver plants exposed to VOCs from infected emitters relative to control emitters. Molecular analyses indicated that pathogen infection drove a down-regulation of genes coding for VOC precursors, potentially explaining the absence of pathogen effects on VOC emissions and thus of communication. Overall, these results indicate no evidence of airborne communication between potato plants in response to fungal infection and point at pathogen inhibition of VOC emissions as a likely explanation for this result.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rodrigo R Granjel
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | | | | | - Viviana Pasch
- Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Pilar Soengas
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Ted C J Turlings
- Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | | | - Luis Abdala-Roberts
- Departamento de Ecología Tropical, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Sergio Rasmann
- Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
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26
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Benevenuto RF, Seldal T, Moe SR, Rodriguez-Saona C, Hegland SJ. Neighborhood Effects of Herbivore-Induced Plant Resistance Vary Along an Elevational Gradient. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
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27
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Paudel Timilsena B, Seidl-Adams I, Tumlinson JH. Herbivore-specific plant volatiles prime neighboring plants for nonspecific defense responses. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2020; 43:787-800. [PMID: 31759336 DOI: 10.1111/pce.13688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Plants produce species-specific herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) after damage. We tested the hypothesis that herbivore-specific HIPVs prime neighboring plants to induce defenses specific to the priming herbivore. Since Manduca sexta (specialist) and Heliothis virescens (generalist) herbivory induced unique HIPV profiles in Nicotiana benthamiana, we used these HIPVs to prime receiver plants for defense responses to simulated herbivory (mechanical wounding and herbivore regurgitant application). Jasmonic acid (JA) accumulations and emitted volatile profiles were monitored as representative defense responses since JA is the major plant hormone involved in wound and defense signaling and HIPVs have been implicated as signals in tritrophic interactions. Herbivore species-specific HIPVs primed neighboring plants, which produced 2 to 4 times more volatiles and JA after simulated herbivory when compared to similarly treated constitutive volatile-exposed plants. However, HIPV-exposed plants accumulated similar amounts of volatiles and JA independent of the combination of priming or challenging herbivore. Furthermore, volatile profiles emitted by primed plants depended only on the challenging herbivore species but not on the species-specific HIPV profile of damaged emitter plants. This suggests that feeding by either herbivore species primed neighboring plants for increased HIPV emissions specific to the subsequently attacking herbivore and is probably controlled by JA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bipana Paudel Timilsena
- Chemical Ecology Lab, Center for Chemical Ecology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
| | - Irmgard Seidl-Adams
- Chemical Ecology Lab, Center for Chemical Ecology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
| | - James H Tumlinson
- Chemical Ecology Lab, Center for Chemical Ecology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
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28
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Phytochemical Shift from Condensed Tannins to Flavonoids in Transgenic Betula pendula Decreases Consumption and Growth but Improves Growth Efficiency of Epirrita autumnata Larvae. J Chem Ecol 2019; 46:217-231. [PMID: 31879865 PMCID: PMC7056695 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-019-01134-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Despite active research, antiherbivore activity of specific plant phenolics remains largely unresolved. We constructed silver birch (Betula pendula) lines with modified phenolic metabolism to study the effects of foliar flavonoids and condensed tannins on consumption and growth of larvae of a generalist herbivore, the autumnal moth (Epirrita autumnata). We conducted a feeding experiment using birch lines in which expression of dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR), anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) or anthocyanidin reductase (ANR) had been decreased by RNA interference. Modification-specific effects on plant phenolics, nutrients and phenotype, and on larval consumption and growth were analyzed using uni- and multivariate methods. Inhibiting DFR expression increased the concentration of flavonoids at the expense of condensed tannins, and silencing DFR and ANR decreased leaf and plant size. E. autumnata larvae consumed on average 82% less of DFRi plants than of unmodified controls, suggesting that flavonoids or glandular trichomes deter larval feeding. However, larval growth efficiency was highest on low-tannin DFRi plants, indicating that condensed tannins (or their monomers) are physiologically more harmful than non-tannin flavonoids for E. autumnata larvae. Our results show that genetic manipulation of the flavonoid pathway in plants can effectively be used to produce altered phenolic profiles required for elucidating the roles of low-molecular weight phenolics and condensed tannins in plant–herbivore relationships, and suggest that phenolic secondary metabolites participate in regulation of plant growth.
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29
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Bouwmeester H, Schuurink RC, Bleeker PM, Schiestl F. The role of volatiles in plant communication. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 100:892-907. [PMID: 31410886 PMCID: PMC6899487 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.14496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Volatiles mediate the interaction of plants with pollinators, herbivores and their natural enemies, other plants and micro-organisms. With increasing knowledge about these interactions the underlying mechanisms turn out to be increasingly complex. The mechanisms of biosynthesis and perception of volatiles are slowly being uncovered. The increasing scientific knowledge can be used to design and apply volatile-based agricultural strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harro Bouwmeester
- University of AmsterdamSwammerdam Institute for Life SciencesGreen Life Science research clusterScience Park 9041098 XHAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Robert C. Schuurink
- University of AmsterdamSwammerdam Institute for Life SciencesGreen Life Science research clusterScience Park 9041098 XHAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Petra M. Bleeker
- University of AmsterdamSwammerdam Institute for Life SciencesGreen Life Science research clusterScience Park 9041098 XHAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Florian Schiestl
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary BotanyUniversity of ZürichZollikerstrasse 107CH‐8008ZürichSwitzerland
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30
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Moreira X, Abdala-Roberts L, Nell CS, Vázquez-González C, Pratt JD, Keefover-Ring K, Mooney KA. Sexual and genotypic variation in terpene quantitative and qualitative profiles in the dioecious shrub Baccharis salicifolia. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14655. [PMID: 31602001 PMCID: PMC6787053 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51291-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Terpenoids are secondary metabolites produced in most plant tissues and are often considered toxic or repellent to plant enemies. Previous work has typically reported on intra-specific variation in terpene profiles, but the effects of plant sex, an important axis of genetic variation, have been less studied for chemical defences in general, and terpenes in particular. In a prior study, we found strong genetic variation (but not sexual dimorphism) in terpene amounts in leaves of the dioecious shrub Baccharis salicifolia. Here we build on these findings and provide a more in-depth analysis of terpene chemistry on these same plants from an experiment consisting of a common garden with male (N = 19) and female (N = 20) genotypes sourced from a single population. Our goal in the present study was to investigate quantitative and qualitative differences in terpene profiles associated with plant sex and genotypic variation. For this, we quantified leaf mono- and sesquiterpene amount, richness, and diversity (quantitative profile), as well as the composition of compounds (qualitative profile). We found no evidence of sexual dimorphism in monoterpene or sesquiterpene profiles. We did, however, find significant genotypic variation in amount, diversity, and composition of monoterpenes, but no effects on sesquiterpenes. These findings indicated that genotypic variation in terpene profiles largely surpassed variation due to sexual dimorphism for the studied population of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xoaquín Moreira
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apdo. 28, 36080, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain.
| | - Luis Abdala-Roberts
- Department of Tropical Ecology, Autonomous University of Yucatan, Apartado Postal 4-116, Itzimna. 97000, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
| | - Colleen S Nell
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | | | - Jessica D Pratt
- University of California, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Irvine, California, 92697, USA
| | - Ken Keefover-Ring
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Departments of Botany and Geography, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Kailen A Mooney
- University of California, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Irvine, California, 92697, USA.
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31
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Moreira X, Nell CS, Meza-Lopez MM, Rasmann S, Mooney KA. Specificity of plant-plant communication for Baccharis salicifolia sexes but not genotypes. Ecology 2019; 99:2731-2739. [PMID: 30508249 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Plants are able to adjust their anti-herbivore defenses in response to the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by herbivore-damaged neighbors, and some of these changes increase resistance against subsequent herbivory. This phenomenon of plant-plant communication is thought to be widespread, but recent investigations have cautioned that it can be context dependent, including variation in the strength of communication based on the identity of plants and their associated herbivores. Here, we performed three greenhouse experiments using multiple male and female genotypes of the dioecious woody shrub Baccharis salicifolia and its specialist aphid Uroleucon macolai to test for specificity of plant-plant communication with respect to plant sex and genotype. Moreover, we evaluated plant sexual dimorphism and genotypic variation in VOC emissions (i.e., the "speaking" side of the interaction) and response of plants to VOC exposure (i.e., the "listening" side of the interaction) in order to identify the chemical mechanisms underlying such specificity. We did not find genotypic specificity of communication; emitter plants damaged by U. macolai significantly reduced subsequent U. macolai performance on receivers, but these effects were indistinguishable for communication within vs. among genotypes. In contrast, we found sex specificity of communication; male emitter plants reduced subsequent U. macolai performance on male and female receiver plants equally, while female emitter plants only did so for female receivers. We found sexual (but not genotypic) dimorphism in speaking but not listening; of the seven compounds induced by U. macolai feeding (speaking), pinocarvone was approximately fivefold greater in female than in male plants, while exposure of plants to pinocarvone emissions (listening) reduced U. macolai performance equally in both male and female plants. Together, our study demonstrates novel evidence for sexually dimorphic specificity of plant-plant communication and the chemical mechanism underlying this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xoaquín Moreira
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado 28, 36080, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
| | - Colleen S Nell
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, 92697, California, USA
| | - Maria M Meza-Lopez
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, 92697, California, USA
| | - Sergio Rasmann
- Institute of Biology, Laboratory of Functional Ecology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Kailen A Mooney
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, 92697, California, USA
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32
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Takabayashi J, Shiojiri K. Multifunctionality of herbivory-induced plant volatiles in chemical communication in tritrophic interactions. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 32:110-117. [PMID: 31113622 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Uninfested plants emit only trace quantities of volatiles (constitutively emitted plant volatiles). In contrast, some plants emit relatively large quantities of volatiles in response to herbivory (herbivory-Induced plant volatiles: HIPVs). Organisms belonging to different trophic levels use plant volatiles in context-dependent manners; consequently, volatiles can be adaptive, non-adaptive, or maladaptive to the emitter plants. In this review, we focus on the multifunctional aspects of HIPVs, which vary qualitatively and quantitatively in emitting plant species and infesting herbivore species, in plant-carnivore interactions, plant-herbivore interactions, and plant-omnivore interactions. Additionally, we review the evidence of plant-plant communication and its effects on tritrophic interactions involving plants, herbivores, and carnivores. Prospects on interactions mediated by plant volatiles induced by herbivorous arthropods are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junji Takabayashi
- Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Otsu, Shiga, Japan.
| | - Kaori Shiojiri
- Department of Agriculture, Ryukoku University, Otsu, Shiga, Japan
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33
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Moreira X, Abdala-Roberts L. Specificity and context-dependency of plant-plant communication in response to insect herbivory. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 32:15-21. [PMID: 31113626 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2018.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 06/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Over three decades of work on airborne plant communication have taught us that plants send, receive, and respond to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by conspecific as well as heterospecific neighbouring plants. Much of this research has focused on the consequences of plant-plant communication on resistance against herbivory, with studies showing that VOCs emitted by herbivore-damaged plants increase resistance of neighbouring undamaged plants. However, a key aspect that has received less attention concerns the ecological specificity and context-dependency of this phenomenon. Knowledge on this is crucial for assessing the ecological mechanisms that govern plant communication, determining its biological significance under natural conditions, as well as designing effective strategies for its application (e.g. in crop protection). Here we synthesize important advances from incipient work on the ecological specificity of plant communication according to three main aspects: plant-based specificity, herbivore-based specificity, and the influence of the abiotic context. We then provide some ideas for future research to improve our understanding of the specificity of plant communication and its ecological and evolutionary importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xoaquín Moreira
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado de Correos 28, 36080, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain.
| | - Luis Abdala-Roberts
- Departamento de Ecología Tropical, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Apartado, Postal 4-116, Itzimná, 97000, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
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Kessler A. Introduction to a special feature issue - New insights into plant volatiles. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2018; 220:655-658. [PMID: 30324737 DOI: 10.1111/nph.15494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- André Kessler
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
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35
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Kong CH, Zhang SZ, Li YH, Xia ZC, Yang XF, Meiners SJ, Wang P. Plant neighbor detection and allelochemical response are driven by root-secreted signaling chemicals. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3867. [PMID: 30250243 PMCID: PMC6155373 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06429-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant neighbor detection and response strategies are important mediators of interactions among species. Despite increasing knowledge of neighbor detection and response involving plant volatiles, less is known about how soil-borne signaling chemicals may act belowground in plant-plant interactions. Here, we experimentally demonstrate neighbor detection and allelopathic responses between wheat and 100 other plant species via belowground signaling. Wheat can detect both conspecific and heterospecific neighbors and responds by increasing allelochemical production. Furthermore, we show that (-)-loliolide and jasmonic acid are present in root exudates from a diverse range of species and are able to trigger allelochemical production in wheat. These findings suggest that root-secreted (-)-loliolide and jasmonic acid are involved in plant neighbor detection and allelochemical response and may be widespread mediators of belowground plant-plant interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chui-Hua Kong
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China.
| | - Song-Zhu Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Hua Li
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Chao Xia
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Xue-Fang Yang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Scott J Meiners
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL, 61920, USA
| | - Peng Wang
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 110016, Shenyang, China
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do Prado Ribeiro L, Klock ALS, Filho JAW, Tramontin MA, Trapp MA, Mithöfer A, Nansen C. Hyperspectral imaging to characterize plant-plant communication in response to insect herbivory. PLANT METHODS 2018; 14:54. [PMID: 29988987 PMCID: PMC6034322 DOI: 10.1186/s13007-018-0322-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In studies of plant stress signaling, a major challenge is the lack of non-invasive methods to detect physiological plant responses and to characterize plant-plant communication over time and space. RESULTS We acquired time series of phytocompound and hyperspectral imaging data from maize plants from the following treatments: (1) individual non-infested plants, (2) individual plants experimentally subjected to herbivory by green belly stink bug (no visible symptoms of insect herbivory), (3) one plant subjected to insect herbivory and one control plant in a separate pot but inside the same cage, and (4) one plant subjected to insect herbivory and one control plant together in the same pot. Individual phytocompounds (except indole-3acetic acid) or spectral bands were not reliable indicators of neither insect herbivory nor plant-plant communication. However, using a linear discrimination classification method based on combinations of either phytocompounds or spectral bands, we found clear evidence of maize plant responses. CONCLUSIONS We have provided initial evidence of how hyperspectral imaging may be considered a powerful non-invasive method to increase our current understanding of both direct plant responses to biotic stressors but also to the multiple ways plant communities are able to communicate. We are unaware of any published studies, in which comprehensive phytocompound data have been shown to correlate with leaf reflectance. In addition, we are unaware of published studies, in which plant-plant communication was studied based on leaf reflectance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro do Prado Ribeiro
- Research Center for Family Agriculture, Research and Rural, Extension Company of Santa Catarina, Chapecó, Santa Catarina Brazil
| | - Adriana Lídia Santana Klock
- Research Center for Family Agriculture, Research and Rural, Extension Company of Santa Catarina, Chapecó, Santa Catarina Brazil
| | - João Américo Wordell Filho
- Research Center for Family Agriculture, Research and Rural, Extension Company of Santa Catarina, Chapecó, Santa Catarina Brazil
| | | | - Marília Almeida Trapp
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Axel Mithöfer
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Nansen
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, UC Davis Briggs Hall, Room 367, Davis, CA 95616 USA
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base for Zhejiang Sustainable Pest and Disease Control, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 198 Shiqiao Road, Hangzhou, 310021 China
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Terpene Composition Complexity Controls Secondary Organic Aerosol Yields from Scots Pine Volatile Emissions. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3053. [PMID: 29445182 PMCID: PMC5813208 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21045-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) impact climate by scattering and absorbing radiation and contributing to cloud formation. SOA models are based on studies of simplified chemical systems that do not account for the chemical complexity in the atmosphere. This study investigated SOA formation from a mixture of real Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) emissions including a variety of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. SOA generation was characterized from different combinations of volatile compounds as the plant emissions were altered with an herbivore stress treatment. During active herbivore feeding, monoterpene and sesquiterpene emissions increased, but SOA mass yields decreased after accounting for absorption effects. SOA mass yields were controlled by sesquiterpene emissions in healthy plants. In contrast, SOA mass yields from stressed plant emissions were controlled by the specific blend of monoterpene emissions. Conservative estimates using a box model approach showed a 1.5- to 2.3-fold aerosol enhancement when the terpene complexity was taken into account. This enhancement was relative to the commonly used model monoterpene, “α-pinene”. These results suggest that simplifying terpene complexity in SOA models could lead to underpredictions in aerosol mass loading.
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Nell CS, Meza-Lopez MM, Croy JR, Nelson AS, Moreira X, Pratt JD, Mooney KA. Relative effects of genetic variation sensu lato and sexual dimorphism on plant traits and associated arthropod communities. Oecologia 2018; 187:389-400. [PMID: 29354878 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-018-4065-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Intraspecific plant trait variation can have cascading effects on plant-associated biotic communities. Sexual dimorphism is an important axis of genetic variation in dioecious plants, but the strength of such effects and the underlying mechanisms relative to genetic variation are unknown. We established a common garden with 39 genotypes of Baccharis salicifolia sampled from a single population that included male and female genotypes and measured plant traits and quantified associated arthropod communities. Genetic variation sensu lato (genotypic variation) had strong effects on most plant traits (flower number, relative growth rate, specific leaf area, percent water content, carbon-nitrogen ratio, monoterpene but not sesquiterpene concentrations) and on herbivore and predator density, and on arthropod community composition (relative abundance of 14 orders). In contrast, sexual dimorphism had weaker effects on only a few plant traits (flower number and relative growth rate), on predator density, and on arthropod community composition, but had no effect on herbivore density. Variation in flower number drove genetic variation sensu lato and sex dimorphism in predator density and arthropod community composition. There was unique genetic variation sensu lato in herbivore density (positively) associated with monoterpene concentration and in arthropod community composition associated with specific leaf area and carbon-nitrogen ratio. There was unique sexual dimorphism in arthropod community composition associated with plant relative growth rate. Together, these results demonstrate that genetic variation sensu lato and sexual dimorphism can shape plant-associated arthropod communities via both parallel and unique mechanisms, with greater overall effects of the former.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen S Nell
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, USA
| | - Maria M Meza-Lopez
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, USA
| | - Jordan R Croy
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, USA
| | - Annika S Nelson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, USA
| | - Xoaquín Moreira
- Biological Mission of Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apdo. 28, 36080, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
| | - Jessica D Pratt
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, USA
| | - Kailen A Mooney
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, USA.
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