Life Sciences Commons^™

Revisiting Plant Defense-Fitness Trade-Off Hypotheses Using Solanum As A Model Genus, Sakshi Watts, Satinderpal Kaur, Rupesh R. Kariyat

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Plants possess physical and chemical defenses which have been found to deter herbivores that feed and oviposit on them. Despite having wide variety of defenses which can be constitutive or induced, plants are attacked and damaged by insects associated with different mouthparts and feeding habits. Since these defenses are costly, trade-offs for growth and defense traits play an important role in warding off the herbivores, with consequences for plant and herbivore growth, development and fitness. Solanum is a diverse and rich genus comprising of over 1,500 species with economic and ecological importance. Although a large number of studies on Solanum …

Are Epicuticular Waxes A Surface Defense Comparable To Trichomes? A Test Using Two Solanum Species And A Specialist Herbivore., Sakshi Watts, Rupesh R. Kariyat

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Although plants possess a suite of structural defenses, most studies have focused on trichomes. Trichomes can have both pre- and post-ingestive effects and have been consistently found to reduce herbivory. Along with trichomes, a few studies have focused on epicuticular waxes as an important defense; however, manipulated comparisons examining herbivore growth and development is limited. In this study, using two Solanum species (Solanum glaucescens and Solanum macrocarpon) that vary in both defenses, we tested the hypothesis that variation in defenses will affect herbivore feeding, primarily by restricting feeding commencement. We used electron microscopy together with a series of plant- and …

Deciphering The Role Of Ion Channels In Early Defense Signaling Against Herbivorous Insects, Akanksha Gandhi, Rupesh R. Kariyat, Amaravadhi Harikishore, Marzieh Ayati, Anirban Bhunia, Nirakar Sahoo

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Plants and insect herbivores are in a relentless battle to outwit each other. Plants have evolved various strategies to detect herbivores and mount an effective defense system against them. These defenses include physical and structural barriers such as spines, trichomes, cuticle, or chemical compounds, including secondary metabolites such as phenolics and terpenes. Plants perceive herbivory by both mechanical and chemical means. Mechanical sensing can occur through the perception of insect biting, piercing, or chewing, while chemical signaling occurs through the perception of various herbivore-derived compounds such as oral secretions (OS) or regurgitant, insect excreta (frass), or oviposition fluids. Interestingly, ion …

Effects Of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (Amf) On Growth And Herbivore Defenses In Sorghum Sudangrass (Sorghum X Drummondii), Jasleen Kaur

Theses and Dissertations

Chapter 2: In this chapter we have examined the role of trichomes in plant stress biology, reviewed the studies on herbivore X trichome interactions, and their role in plant defences. Ultimately, we have proposed new areas of research for future work.

Chapter 3: In this chapter, we examined whether AMF has cascading effects on insect community dynamics through attraction/repulsion of beneficial and damaging insects using Sorghum-sudangrass (Sorghum x drummondii), either inoculated with commercial AMF mix or left as control in lab and field experiments. Our results suggest positive effects of AMF on plant growth, and a lower initial incidence of …

Herbivory And Inbreeding Affect Growth, Reproduction, And Resistance In The Rhizomatous Offshoots Of Solanum Carolinense (Solanaceae), Chad T. Nihranz, Rebecca L. Kolstrom, Rupesh R. Kariyat, Mark C. Mescher, Consuelo M. De Moraes, Andrew G. Stephenson

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Resource sharing within clonal plant networks can occur via the translocation of water, nutrients, and photoassimilates through rhizomes and stolons. Similar mechanisms may mediate the sharing of information (e.g., about herbivory or other environmental stressors) among ramets via molecular or biochemical signals. The storage of such information in belowground structures could facilitate the transmission of appropriate phenotypic responses across growing seasons in perennial species. However, few previous studies have explored the potential transfer of ecologically relevant information within such networks. This study addresses the effects of foliar herbivory and belowground overwintering on the growth and flowering, physical defenses, and herbivore …