High levels of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus colonization on Medicago truncatula reduces plant suitability as a host for pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum).

ABSTRACT: This study sheds light on a poorly understood area in insect-plant-microbe interactions, focusing on aphid probing and feeding behavior on plants with varying levels of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus root colonization. It investigates a commonly occurring interaction of three species: pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum, barrel medic Medicago truncatula, and the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis, examining whether aphid-feeding behavior changes when insects feed on plants at different levels of AM fungus colonization (42% and 84% root length colonized). Aphid probing and feeding behavior was monitored throughout 8 h of recording using the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique, also, foliar nutrient content and plant growth were measured. Summarizing, aphids took longer to reach their

SUBMITTER: Garzo E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7379733 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature