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Nutrient inputs and phytoplasma infection shape plant-herbivore interactions in cranberry
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DOI：10.1127/entomologia/3828.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
Nutrient availability is expected to play a key role in shaping bottom-up effects on plant-pathogen-herbivore interactions, with important implications for pest management in agroecosystems. While many studies have examined how pathogen-infected plants affect insect herbivores, relatively few have investigated how nutrient availability influences these interactions. In this study, we examined how variable fertilizer regimes and infection by a phytoplasma that causes false blossom disease in the American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) affect interactions between the plants and three insect herbivores: the vector blunt-nosed leafhopper (Limotettix vaccinii) and two non-vector species, Sparganothis fruitworm (Sparganothis sulfureana) and spongy moth (Lymantria dispar). Greenhouse experiments were conducted using four fertilizer regimes (0, 1/4x, 1x, and 2x the standard rate) and two disease levels (non-infected and infected plants) in two cranberry varieties, 'Crimson Queen' and 'Ben Lear.' Herbivore performance - measured by mortality and larval weight - was assessed alongside plant chemical traits, including nutrient status (carbon-to-nitrogen [C/N] ratio) and defense compounds (total phenolics and proanthocyanidins). Results show that increased fertilization and phytoplasma infection each enhanced herbivore weight mostly independently, while mortality remained largely unchanged. These responses were associated with lower C/N ratios and reduced proanthocyanidin levels, and were generally consistent across varieties. Our findings offer new insights into how nutrient availability modulates plant-pathogen-herbivore interactions and highlight the need to consider fertilization practices when managing insect pests and diseases in an agroecosystem such as the American cranberry.
Keywords:
nutrient availability hypothesis
host manipulation hypothesis
cranberry false blossom disease
herbivore performance
C/N
phenolics
Sparganothis
leafhopper
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