Interactions between Maize root-associated fungi and the Western Corn Rootworm
Final Report Abstract
The invasive chrysomelid beetle westem corn rootworm (WCR; Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) will become the most important maize pest in most European countries within the next decades. Larvae feed on the roots of maize plants causing plant lodging and reduced yields. An improved understanding of the ecology WCR and its interaction with the microbial communities in the rhizosphere of maize are keys for developing successful integrated pest management strategies. This project aimed at understanding the interactions WCR larvae with fungal and bacterial communities associated with the roots of maize. A soil type dependent cultivar effect on the larval body weight was shown and larval feeding in turn cleariy influenced the microbial community composition. WCR larval feeding did not influence the colonization of maize roots by G. intraradices and the AMF diversity but WCR larval development was significantly delayed when feeding on plants colonized by G. intraradices. The fungal community structure and AMF diversity in the rhizosphere and endorhiza were strongly influenced by G. intraradices inoculation. The comparative molecular analysis of the bacterial and fungal communities in the gut and eggs of WCR and in the rhizosphere revealed similar community composition independent from the soil type. Wolbachia was identified as the most dominant bacterial population in the gut (putative target for biocontrol) while fungi were mainly comprised of Fusarium population which seemed to be selected under the alkaline conditions in the WCR gut. Our results underline the importance of microorganisms for the interaction between soil dwelling herbivores and the microbial communities associated to their host plants. Our research indicated that several measures (AMF inoculation, BT maize, cultivar) could be exploited in integrated pest management strategies.
Publications
- 2009. Incorporated from the rhizosphere - Fungal communities in the gut of western corn rootworm larvae. 23rd IWGO Conference & 2nd International Conference of Diabrotica Genetics, Munich, Germany
Kurtz, B., Dematheis, F., Venjakob, C., Smalla, K., and S. Vidal
- 2010. Glomus intraradices a biocontrol agent against the maize pest, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte? Conference on "Impact of plant pathogens on food quality of agricultural crops and wine (Patholux)". 22-23 November, 2010. Remich (Luxembourg)
Dematheis, F., Kurtz, B., Vidal, S. and K. Smalla
- 2010. Multitrophic interaction of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera larvae and fungal communities in the rhizosphere and endorhiza of maize. Plant Protection Conference "Gesunde Pflanze - gesunder Mensch" 6-9 September, 2010. Berlin (Germany)
Dematheis, F., Kurtz, B., Vidal, S. and K. Smalla
