Seasonal and elevational variability in the induction of specialized compounds from mountain birch (Betula pubescens var. pumila) by winter moth larvae (Operophtera brumata).

ABSTRACT: The mountain birch [Betula pubescens var. pumila (L.)] forest in the Subarctic is periodically exposed to insect outbreaks, which are expected to intensify due to climate change. To mitigate abiotic and biotic stresses, plants have evolved chemical defenses, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and non-volatile specialized compounds (NVSCs). Constitutive and induced production of these compounds, however, are poorly studied in Subarctic populations of mountain birch. Here, we assessed the joint effects of insect herbivory, elevation and season on foliar VOC emissions and NVSC contents of mountain birch. The VOCs were sampled in situ by an enclosure technique and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. NVSCs were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry using an

SUBMITTER: Ryde I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8190950 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature