Multitrophic interactions in an ectomycorrhiza-plant-insect herbivory system - plant gene expression, resource allocation and performance of plants and herbivores

Plant functioning depends on biotrophic interactions connected to internal processes. Seven research groups within four project parts compare gene regulation and resource allocation in oaks faced with major biotrophic partners, i.e. ectomycorrhiza, root pathogenic microorganisms, rhizospheric invertebrate consumers, mycorrhization helper bacteria, leaf pathogenic fungi and leaf invertebrate herbivores. A Joined Experimental Platform with clonal mycorrhizal oak microcuttings will serve to analyse the impact of each biotrophic partner under standardized conditions by tracer experiments and transcriptomics. The group in Marburg studies the interactions between mycorrhizal fungi and insect herbivores.

Recent research provides circumstantial evidence that the relationships between mycorrhiza and herbivores area triggered by interacting effects of mycorrhiza and herbivory on expression patterns of genes related to plant metabolism and defence as well as the allocation of resources within the plant-fungus system. Further, the effects of mycorrhiza on plant growth are contingent on the activity of other associated microorganisms, but their influence on plant interactions with herbivores is unknown. Within this project we will use the well characterized Quercus robur-Piloderma croceum system to study the interacting effects of mycorrhization and insect herbivory by Lymantria dispar on plant growth, gene expression patterns and resource allocation. The integration of molecular genetics, plant physiology and experimental ecology provides a novel and innovative approach for the study of multitrophic interactions and will yield fundamental information on the mechanisms and ecological consequences of the ectomycorrhizal symbiosis.

Funded by: