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Aphid-infested beans divert ant attendance from the rosy apple aphid in apple-bean intercropping.

ABSTRACT: Ecological intensification of cropping systems aims at restoring multi-functionality while supporting current productivity levels. Intercropping is a form of ecological intensification involving ecological processes beneficial to farmers that do not take place in monocultures. Thus, it represents a practical approach to decrease the use of synthetic inputs such as insecticides in cultivated systems. Whereas insecticide reduction via intercropping-facilitated suppression of aphids is reported in literature, the majority of published studies focussed on herbaceous crops. Thus, the effect of intercropping on aphid populations of cultivated trees remains largely unaddressed. In this study we hypothesized that intercropping a specific companion plant within perennial crops would divert ant attendance from an aphid attacking the crop to another aphid feeding on the newly introduced plant, reducing aphid damage on the crop. We tested our hypothesis in the system of apple (Malus domestica Borkhausen), the rosy apple aphid (Dysaphis plantaginea Passerini) and the black garden ant (Lasius niger L.). Bean plants (Vicia faba) with the black bean aphid (Aphis fabae Scopoli) were intercropped within apple trees inoculated with D. plantaginea. We measured ant attendance, aphid development and survival as well as honeydew composition on both plant species through semi-field and field experiments. The majority of ants chose to attend A. fabae over D. plantaginea in the semi-field experiment with potted plants. In the orchard, a larger majority of scouts were scored on A. fabae over D. plantaginea. A higher number of D. plantaginea colonies remained active in the apple control, whilst they were almost eradicated by intercropping. Although chemical analyses of honeydew disclosed differences in the carbohydrate and amino acid profiles between aphid species, the difference in honeydew composition did not explain the preference for A. fabae. Ants did not discriminate between the two honeydew mimics both in laboratory and field bioassays. Our results showed the potential of intercropping apple trees with beans as a method to reduce ant attendance and thus colony survival. We propose that intercropping represents a bottom-up approach towards ecological intensification of perennial crops. Together with other ecosystem-based measures such as habitat management, intercropping should be considered when planning ecosystem redesign to increase biological control of pests.

SUBMITTER: Palsson J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7237440 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Aphid-infested beans divert ant attendance from the rosy apple aphid in apple-bean intercropping.

Pålsson Joakim J Porcel Mario M Hansen Mette Frimodt MF Offenberg Joachim J Nardin Tiziana T Larcher Roberto R Tasin Marco M

Scientific reports 20200519 1

Ecological intensification of cropping systems aims at restoring multi-functionality while supporting current productivity levels. Intercropping is a form of ecological intensification involving ecological processes beneficial to farmers that do not take place in monocultures. Thus, it represents a practical approach to decrease the use of synthetic inputs such as insecticides in cultivated systems. Whereas insecticide reduction via intercropping-facilitated suppression of aphids is reported in ...[more]

PMID: 32427843

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Project description:The aim of this study is to identify Arabidopsis genes whose expression is altered by aphid feeding. An understanding of the plant aphid interaction at the level of the plant transcriptome will 1) consolidate current areas of investigation focused on the phloem composition (the aphid diet), 2) open up areas of plant aphid interactions for ourselves and other workers, 3) Contribute to understanding the use of new molecular technologies in an environmental context and 4) contribute to existing and development of novel control strategies.Our Arabidopsis/Myzus persicae system provides a valuable model for the study because of: a) the advantages of using Arabidopsis, b) The ability to use clonal insects, c) phloem feeding aphids facilitate focus on a specific cell type, d) aphid stylectomy allows collection of pure phloem sap to monitor Âphloem phenotypeÂ of the plant and the insect diet, e) we have techniques to monitor the reproductive performance and feeding behaviour aphids.Our strategy has been to test the function of selected genes, particularly those regulating phloem composition (the feeding site of the aphid) based on current phloem models of phloem function. Gene choice is limited the simplicity of current models of phloem aphid interaction.We propose a simple two treatment (aphid infested vs control plants) experiment that will identify novel target genes for future analysis. Arabidopsis plants (variety Columbia) will be grown in 16/8 light/dark in temperature controlled growth rooms. At growth stage 3.90, when rosette growth is complete, 10 clonal adult Myzus persicae will be caged in clip cages on the two largest leaves on each plant. Control plants will be treated identically except that the cages will be empty. Leaves will be harvested 8 h after infestation. This time point is selected as we know that 90% of aphids are plugged into the sieve element within 2h and that a 6h lag phase has period has previously been used when examining gene expression affected by wounding. In subsequent experiments we will examine time courses of expression of relevant genes using other approaches. Pooling two leaves from each of ten plants will generate the RNA sample, ensuring that expression signals are representative of the population of plants.

Project description:After years of continuous cultivation of faba beans (Vicia faba L.), autotoxic substances accumulate in the soil, leading to a high incidence of Fusarium oxysporum (FOF) wilt. Faba bean–wheat intercropping is often used to alleviate these problems. The goal of this research was to explore the role of benzoic acid and cinnamic acid in promoting the occurrence of faba bean Fusarium wilt and the potential mechanism of faba bean–wheat intercropping to control the occurrence of this disease. We established a field experiment and a hydroponic experiment that involved the inoculation of FOF and the exploration of exogenous addition of cinnamic acid and benzoic acid at different concentrations, the effects on the degree of peroxidation, resistance system, and ultrastructure of faba bean roots. In addition, the antioxidative response of faba bean–wheat intercropping against the autotoxicity of benzoic acid and cinnamic acid was examined. In the field experiment, compared with monoculture, faba bean–wheat intercropping effectively controlled the occurrence of Fusarium wilt, significantly reduced the contents of H2O2 and O2− in faba bean roots, increased the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), maintained cell stability, and significantly reduced the contents of benzoic acid and cinnamic acid in faba bean rhizosphere. In the pot experiment, it was found that compared with the control, different concentrations of benzoic acid and cinnamic acid (50, 100, and 200 mg·L−1) significantly increased the content of H2O2 and O2− in faba bean, decreased the activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT, and damaged cell membrane structure. Furthermore, it promoted the occurrence of Fusarium wilt of faba bean. The faba bean–wheat intercropping alleviated the stress. Benzoic acid and cinnamic acid can increase the content of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anions in faba bean plants, reduce the enzymatic activity and expression of antioxidant enzyme genes, damage the cell membrane structure, and promote the occurrence of faba bean Fusarium wilt. The faba bean–wheat intercropping can effectively alleviate the autotoxicity of benzoic acid and cinnamic acid and reduce the occurrence of faba bean Fusarium wilt.

Dataset Information

Aphid-infested beans divert ant attendance from the rosy apple aphid in apple-bean intercropping.

Publications

Aphid-infested beans divert ant attendance from the rosy apple aphid in apple-bean intercropping.

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