Antiherbivore defense mutualism under elevated carbon dioxide level: A fungal endophyte and grass
- Winthrop Univ., Rock Hill, SC (United States)
- Univ. of South Carolina, Columbia, SC (United States)
Previous studies have shown that insects commonly consume more when fed leaf tissue grown under CO{sub 2} enrichment, but with few negative effects on growth. However, lepidoteran larvae fed tissue infected with Balansiae fungal endophytes (which product toxic alkaloids) typically eat less but also suffer negative effects on growth and survival. This study was carried out to understand how these 2 factors may interact to affect larval consumption and growth in fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Infected and uninfected ramets of a single genotype of tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb., were grown under CO{sub 2} concentrations, but was not influenced by infection. As expected, larvae had significantly reduced efficiency of conversion of ingested food. These 2 factors also interacted so that the lowest efficiency of conversion of ingested food was seen when both infection and an enriched atmospheric CO{sub 2} environment were present. As global atmospheric CO{sub 2} levels continue to increase, it appears that fungal endophytes will continue to be important in turfgrasses as protection against insect herbivores and may lead to increased fitness for infected plant genotypes. 47 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG02-92ER61384
- OSTI ID:
- 457147
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Entomology, Vol. 25, Issue 3; Other Information: PBD: Jun 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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