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- Title
Birch ( Betula spp.) leaves adsorb and re-release volatiles specific to neighbouring plants – a mechanism for associational herbivore resistance?
- Authors
Himanen, Sari J.; Blande, James D.; Klemola, Tero; Pulkkinen, Juha; Heijari, Juha; Holopainen, Jarmo K.
- Abstract
•Plant-emitted semi-volatile compounds have low vaporization rates at 20–25°C and may therefore persist on surfaces such as plant foliage. The passive adsorption of arthropod-repellent semi-volatiles to neighbouring foliage could convey associational resistance, whereby a plant’s neighbours reduce damage caused by herbivores. •We found that birch ( Betula spp.) leaves adsorb and re-release the specific arthropod-repelling C15 semi-volatiles ledene, ledol and palustrol produced by Rhododendron tomentosum when grown in mixed association in a field setup. In a natural habitat, a higher concentration of ledene was released from birches neighbouring R. tomentosum than from birches situated > 5 m from R. tomentosum. Emission of α-humulene, a sesquiterpene synthesized by both Betula pendula and R. tomentosum, was also increased in R. tomentosum-neighbouring B. pendula. •In assessments for associational resistance, we found that the polyphagous green leaf weevils ( Polydrusus flavipes) and autumnal moth ( Epirrita autumnata) larvae both preferred B. pendula to R. tomentosum. P. flavipes also preferred birch leaves not exposed to R. tomentosum to leaves from mixed associations. In the field, a reduction in Euceraphis betulae aphid density occurred in mixed associations. •Our results suggest that plant/tree species may be protected by semi-volatile compounds emitted by a more herbivore-resistant heterospecific neighbour.
- Subjects
PLANT-pathogen relationships; HOST-parasite relationships; HERBIVORES; PLANT resistance to insects; FOLIAGE plants; ARTHROPOD pests; RHODODENDRONS; EPIRRITA autumnata; PLANT variation
- Publication
New Phytologist, 2010, Vol 186, Issue 3, p722
- ISSN
0028-646X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1469-8137.2010.03220.x