Voici les éléments 1 - 6 sur 6
  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Systemic root signalling in a belowground, volatile-mediated tritrophic interaction
    (2011) ; ;
    Robert, Christelle Aurélie Maud
    ;
    Plants attacked by leaf herbivores release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) both locally from the wounded site and systemically from non-attacked tissues. These volatiles serve as attractants for predators and parasitoids. This phenomenon is well described for plant leaves, but systemic induction of VOCs in the roots has remained unstudied. We assessed the spatial and temporal activation of the synthesis and release of (E)-β-caryophyllene (EβC) in maize roots upon feeding by larvae of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, as well as the importance of systemically produced EβC for the attraction of the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis megidis. The production of EβC was found to be significantly stronger at the site of attack than in non-attacked tissues. A weak, but significant, increase in transcriptional activity of the EβC synthase gene tps23 and a corresponding increase in EβC content were observed in the roots above the feeding site and in adjacent roots, demonstrating for the first time that herbivory triggers systemic production of a volatile within root systems. In belowground olfactometers, the nematodes were significantly more attracted towards local feeding sites than systemically induced roots. The possible advantages and disadvantages of systemic volatile signalling in roots are discussed.
  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Comparative susceptibility of larval instars and pupae of the western corn rootworm to infection by three entomopathogenic nematodes
    (2009)
    Kurtz, B.
    ;
    ; ;
    Kuhlmann, Ulrich
    ;
    Toepfer, Stefan
    As a first step towards the development of an ecologically rational control strategy against western corn rootworm (WCR; Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Europe, we compared the susceptibility of the soil living larvae and pupae of this maize pest to infection by three entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species. In laboratory assays using sand-filled trays, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar and H. megidis Poinar, Jackson & Klein (both Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) caused comparable mortality among all three larval instars and pupae of D. v. virgifera. In soil-filled trays, H. bacteriophora was slightly more effective against third larval instars and pupae, and H. megidis against third larval instars, compared to other developmental stages. In both sand and soil, Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) (Rh.: Steinernematidae) was least effective against second instars. In conclusion, all larval instars of D. v. virgifera show susceptibility to infection by all three nematodes tested. It is predicted that early application against young larval instars would be most effective at preventing root feeding damage by D. v. virgifera. Applications of nematodes just before or during the time period when third instars are predominant in the field are likely to increase control efficacy. According to our laboratory assays, H. bacteriophora and H. megidis appear to be the most promising candidates for testing in the field.
  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Restoring a maize root signal that attracts insect-killing nematodes to control a major pest
    (2009)
    Degenhardt, Jörg
    ;
    ;
    Köllner, Tobias G.
    ;
    Frey, Monika
    ;
    Gierl, Alfons
    ;
    Gershenzon, Jonathan
    ;
    Hibbard, Bruce E.
    ;
    Ellersieck, Mark R.
    ;
    When attacked by herbivorous insects, plants emit volatile compounds that attract natural enemies of the insects. It has been proposed that these volatile signals can be manipulated to improve crop protection. Here, we demonstrate the full potential of this strategy by restoring the emission of a specific belowground signal emitted by insect-damaged maize roots. The western corn rootworm induces the roots of many maize varieties to emit (E)-β-caryophyllene, which attracts entomopathogenic nematodes that infect and kill the voracious root pest. However, most North American maize varieties have lost the ability to emit (E)-β-caryophyllene and may therefore receive little protection from the nematodes. To restore the signal, a nonemitting maize line was transformed with a (E)-β-caryophyllene synthase gene from oregano, resulting in constitutive emissions of this sesquiterpene. In rootworm-infested field plots in which nematodes were released, the (E)-β-caryophyllene-emitting plants suffered significantly less root damage and had 60% fewer adult beetles emerge than untransformed, nonemitting lines. This demonstration that plant volatile emissions can be manipulated to enhance the effectiveness of biological control agents opens the way for novel and ecologically sound strategies to fight a variety of insect pests.
  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Belowground Chemical Signaling in Maize: When Simplicity Rhymes with Efficiency
    Maize roots respond to feeding by larvae of the beetle Diabrotica virgifera virgifera by releasing (E)-β-caryophyllene. This sesquiterpene, which is not found in healthy maize roots, attracts the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis megidis. In sharp contrast to the emission of virtually only this single compound by damaged roots, maize leaves emit a blend of numerous volatile organic compounds in response to herbivory. To try to explain this difference between roots and leaves, we studied the diffusion properties of various maize volatiles in sand and soil. The best diffusing compounds were found to be terpenes. Only one other sesquiterpene known for maize, α-copaene, diffused better than (E)-β-caryophyllene, but biosynthesis of the former is far more costly for the plant than the latter. The diffusion of (E)-β-caryophyllene occurs through the gaseous rather than the aqueous phase, as it was found to diffuse faster and further at low moisture level. However, a water layer is needed to prevent complete loss through vertical diffusion, as was found for totally dry sand. Hence, it appears that maize has adapted to emit a readily diffusing and cost-effective belowground signal from its insect-damaged roots.
  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Recruitment of entomopathogenic nematodes by insect-damaged maize roots
    (2005) ;
    Köllner, Tobias G.
    ;
    Degenhardt, Jörg
    ;
    ;
    Toepfer, Stefan
    ;
    Kuhlmann, Ulrich
    ;
    Gershenzon, Jonathan
    ;
    Plants under attack by arthropod herbivores often emit volatile compounds from their leaves that attract natural enemies of the herbivores. Here we report the first identification of an insect-induced belowground plant signal, (E)-β-caryophyllene, which strongly attracts an entomopathogenic nematode. Maize roots release this sesquiterpene in response to feeding by larvae of the beetle Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, a maize pest that is currently invading Europe. Most North American maize lines do not release (E)-β-caryophyllene, whereas European lines and the wild maize ancestor, teosinte, readily do so in response to D. v. virgifera attack. This difference was consistent with striking differences in the attractiveness of representative lines in the laboratory. Field experiments showed a fivefold higher nematode infection rate of D. v. virgifera larvae on a maize variety that produces the signal than on a variety that does not, whereas spiking the soil near the latter variety with authentic (E)-β-caryophyllene decreased the emergence of adult D. v. virgifera to less than half. North American maize lines must have lost the signal during the breeding process. Development of new varieties that release the attractant in adequate amounts should help enhance the efficacy of nematodes as biological control agents against root pests like D. v. virgifera.