Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi promote silicon accumulation in plant roots, reducing the impacts of root herbivory

Article

Frew, Adam, Powell, Jeff R., Allsopp, Peter G., Sallam, Nader and Johnson, Scott N.. 2017. "Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi promote silicon accumulation in plant roots, reducing the impacts of root herbivory." Plant and Soil: international journal on plant-soil relationships. 419 (1-2), pp. 423-433. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3357-z
Article Title

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi promote silicon accumulation in plant roots, reducing the impacts of root herbivory

ERA Journal ID2642
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsFrew, Adam (Author), Powell, Jeff R. (Author), Allsopp, Peter G. (Author), Sallam, Nader (Author) and Johnson, Scott N. (Author)
Journal TitlePlant and Soil: international journal on plant-soil relationships
Journal Citation419 (1-2), pp. 423-433
Number of Pages11
Year2017
PublisherSpringer
Place of PublicationNetherlands
ISSN0032-079X
1573-5036
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3357-z
Web Address (URL)https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11104-017-3357-z
Abstract

Aims
Studies have shown that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can reduce the performance of typically detrimental root feeding insects, yet the mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different sources of AM inocula on plant resistance to a root feeding insect in two different soils with different silicon (Si) concentrations.

Methods
Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) was grown in high or low Si soil; plants were treated with either an inoculum comprising the native AM fungi, a commercial AM fungal inoculum or with no AM fungi. Root herbivore (Dermolepida albohirtum) performance was measured in a feeding assay.

Results
In the low Si soil AM fungi increased root Si concentrations and reduced root herbivore performance. Both commercial and native AM treatments increased root Si and also reduced root herbivore growth rates by 107% and 81%, respectively. AM colonisation positively correlated with root Si concentrations. Distinct from this, in the high Si soil AM fungi had no impact on root Si or root herbivore growth. However, root consumption was reduced; a response independent of Si concentrations.

Conclusions
Our study suggests AM fungi can enhance Si based plant defences against root herbivores, but also highlights that interactions between AM fungi and root herbivores involves multiple mechanisms requiring further research.

KeywordsArbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; insect herbivory; root defences; silicon; sugarcane
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020410603. Soil biology
310899. Plant biology not elsewhere classified
310703. Microbial ecology
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Byline AffiliationsUniversity of Western Sydney
Western Sydney University
Sugar Research Australia, Australia
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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