Impacts of aphid herbivory on mycorrhizal growth responses across three cultivars of wheat

Societal Impact Statement The Earth's population is projected to rise 9.7 billion by 2050 resulting in mounting pressure increase agricultural yields a sustainable manner. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi may be important players this transition given their capacity improve soil and plant health. Benefits gained crops hosting AM can cultivar-specific also affected insect herbivory, although the combined effect of these factors remains unclear. Here, we show that, an economically socially significant tri-partite system, there interplay between crop cultivar, colonisation aphid herbivory on growth nutritional status. Summary are critical components rhizosphere across nearly all terrestrial biomes. associate with most plants, including major crops, usually increasing access nutrients enhancing defence against pests pathogens return for photosynthetic carbon (C). However, responses vary according species genotype, issue pertinent agro-ecosystems where cultivar play role function. Evidence suggests other biotic interactions, sap-feeding aphids, impact function symbioses plants. Nonetheless, whether alter genotype (or cultivar)-specific investigated responsiveness three cultivars wheat (Triticum eastivum L.) ubiquitously occurring fungus (Rhizophagus irregularis) differ presence or absence bird cherry-oat aphids (Rhopalosiphum padi), pest cereals. Our findings that fungal AM-mediated were not feeding, was variation benefits host plants terms nutrient acquisition root growth, while abundances differed varieties. Understanding what causes outcomes how they ultimately promotion, food production represent key future research goals agroecology.