New frontiers in belowground ecology for plant protection from root-feeding insects

New frontiers in belowground ecology for plant protection from root-feeding insects. Johnson, S. N., Benefer, C. M., Frew, A., Griffiths, B. S., Hartley, S. E., Karley, A. J., Rasmann, S., Schumann, M., Sonnemann, I., & Robert, C. A. M. Applied Soil Ecology, 108:96–107, December, 2016.

Paper doi abstract bibtex

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.

@article{johnson_new_2016,
	title = {New frontiers in belowground ecology for plant protection from root-feeding insects},
	volume = {108},
	issn = {0929-1393},
	url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0929139316302116},
	doi = {10.1016/j.apsoil.2016.07.017},
	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.},
	urldate = {2026-03-17},
	journal = {Applied Soil Ecology},
	author = {Johnson, Scott N. and Benefer, Carly M. and Frew, Adam and Griffiths, Bryan S. and Hartley, Susan E. and Karley, Alison J. and Rasmann, Sergio and Schumann, Mario and Sonnemann, Illja and Robert, Christelle A. M.},
	month = dec,
	year = {2016},
	keywords = {Belowground herbivores, Ecological applications, Rhizosphere, Root herbivory, Root-feeding insects, Soils},
	pages = {96--107},
}

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