دانلود رایگان مقاله اکولوژی زیرزمین برای حفاظت گیاه از حشرات ریشه خوار

Abstract

Herbivorous insect pests living in the soil represent a significant challenge to food security given their persistence, the acute damage they cause to plants and the difficulties associated with managing their populations. Ecological research effort into rhizosphere interactions has increased dramatically in the last decade and we are beginning to understand, in particular, the ecology of how plants defend themselves against soil-dwelling pests. In this review, we synthesise information about four key ecological mechanisms occurring in the rhizosphere or surrounding soil that confer plant protection against root herbivores. We focus on root tolerance, root resistance via direct physical and chemical defences, particularly via acquisition of silicon-based plant defences, integration of plant mutualists (microbes and entomopathogenic nematodes, EPNs) and the influence of soil history and feedbacks. Their suitability as management tools, current limitations for their application, and the opportunities for development are evaluated. We identify opportunities for synergy between these aspects of rhizosphere ecology, such as mycorrhizal fungi negatively affecting pests at the root-interface but also increasing plant uptake of silicon, which is also known to reduce herbivory. Finally, we set out research priorities for developing potential novel management strategies.

7. Conclusion

The ‘sledgehammer’ approach of prophylactically applying insecticides to control belowground pests has been particularly damaging to a number of ecosystems (Johnson and Murray, 2008). It is also an approach that is becoming increasingly redundant because of economic and legislative factors, so alternatives are urgently sought. We contend that our increasing understanding of rhizosphere ecology may provide some of these answers by allowing us to manipulate ecological interactions in such a way as to control these extremely damaging plant pests.