Multitrophic interactions in an ectomycorrhiza-plant-insect herbivory system - plant gene expression, resource allocation and performance of plants and herbivores

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Mycorrhizal fungi and insect herbivores are important determinants of plant growth and ecosystem functioning. Further, mycorrhizal symbioses have been shown to be important for plant interactions with herbivores, but the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. Recent research provides circumstantial evidence that these effects may be triggered by interacting effects of mycorrhiza and herbivory on expression patterns of genes related to plant metabolism and defence as well as the allocation of resources within the plant-fungus system. Further, the effects of mycorrhiza on plant growth are contingent on the activity of other associated microorganisms, but their potential influence on plant interactions with herbivores is unknown. Here we propose to use the well characterized Quercus robur- Piloderma croceum system to study the interacting effects of mycorrhization and insect herbivory by Lymantria dispar on plant growth, gene expression patterns and resource allocation. The integration of molecular genetics, plant physiology and experimental ecology provides a novel and innovative approach for the study of multitrophic interactions and will yield fundamental information on the mechanisms and ecological consequences of the ectomycorrhizal symbiosis. We will further assess the importance of mycorrhizosphere actinomycetes and their interactions with mycorrhizal fungi for plant-insect herbivore interactions.