Identifying Key Interactions Among Plants, Insects and Microbes in the Phytobiome

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Plants are essential parts of the ecological areas, or biomes, in which they exist. The survival of plants depends on interactions with both the nonliving (water, air, soil), or abiotic, elements and living, or biotic, elements of their biomes. Plants also provide habitats and nutrition for microbial organisms and insects which use them as food and habitat. The term phytobiome is used to encompass the combined biotic and abiotic components and interactions that affect or are affected by plants. The interactions that compose the phytobiome can influence plant health, plant ecosystems, and can have dramatic impacts on insect behavior and ecology. My research program examines key elements within the phytobiome, paying special attention to how the biotic elements interact with insects, including disease vectors and pollinators. The specific objectives of my program are to 1) examine how plant pathogens influence insect vectors both directly and as mediated through their common host plants, 2) determine how plant pathogens influence the behavior and fitness of pollinators, and 3) identify the mechanisms mediating how plants and plant pathogens influence insect biology. I employ diverse methods. Greenhouse and growth chamber experiments are used to test insects' choices under various controlled conditions and to quantify life-history factors that influence insect success on plants of various conditions. Molecular ecology and plant pathological methods are used to diagnose and confirm infections and to test for different strains and haplotype (genetically distinct groups) of insects and pathogens. Analytical chemistry methods are used to test for differences that may affect an insect's response to a plant, or a plant's response to pathogens. Finally, field experiments are employed to expand to more “real-world” conditions. Findings from these studies will contribute to our knowledge of ecology and community structure in many contexts while furthering our understanding of how plants function as mediators of phytobiomes. These results, however, are also of applied importance, as they will contribute to our understanding of how diseases are spread through and among fields of plants, and how insects and microbes behave in different environments. Insect pests and pathogens are primary factors in crop losses and have also contributed to the destruction of important Canadian forest habitats. My research will lead to improved management of pests and disease in both managed and natural environments.