The importance of root-produced volatiles as foraging cues for entomopathogenic nematodes (Marschner Review for the "Rhizosphere 3" Special Issue)
| Résumé |
Background Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are tiny parasitic
worms that parasitize insects, in which they reproduce. Their
foraging behavior has been subject to numerous studies, most of
which have proposed that, at short distances, EPNs use chemicals
that are emitted directly from the host as host location cues.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) in particular has been implicated as an
important cue. Recent evidence shows that at longer distances
several EPNs take advantage of volatiles that are specifically
emitted by roots in response to insect attack. Studies that have
revealed these plant-mediated interactions among three trophic
levels have been met with some disbelief. Scope This review aims to
take away this skepticism by summarizing the evidence for a role of
root volatiles as foraging cues for EPNs. To reinforce our
argument, we conducted olfactometer assays in which we directly
compared the attraction of an EPN species to CO2 and two typical
inducible root volatiles. Conclusions The combination of the ubiquitous gas and a more specific root volatile was found to be considerably more attractive than one of the two alone. Hence, future studies on EPN foraging behavior should take into account that CO2 and plant volatiles may work in synergy as attractants for EPNs. Recent research efforts also reveal prospects of exploiting plant-produced signals to improve the biological control of insect pests in the rhizosphere. |
| Mots-clés |
entomopathogenic nematodes, foraging behavior, root volatiles, carbon dioxide, belowground tritrophic interactions, induced plant odors, parasitic wasps, natural enemies, coleoptera-chrysomelidae, steinernema-carpocapsae, heterorhabditis-megidis, caenorhabditis-elegans, carbon-dioxide, maize, host |
| Citation | Turlings, T., Hiltpold, I., & Rasmann, S. (2012). The importance of root-produced volatiles as foraging cues for entomopathogenic nematodes (Marschner Review for the "Rhizosphere 3" Special Issue). Plant and Soil, 358(1-2), 47-56. |
| Type | Article de périodique (Anglais) |
| Date de publication | 19-1-2012 |
| Nom du périodique | Plant and Soil |
| Volume | 358 |
| Numéro | 1-2 |
| Pages | 47-56 |