Volatile interactions between specific undamaged barley cultivars affect aphid feeding behavior and performance

Abstract Recent studies have demonstrated that cultivar mixtures can reduce aphid plant acceptance and population development. It is still unknown as to which underlying mechanisms may contribute this phenomenon. We investigated the effects of volatile interactions between undamaged barley cultivars on feeding behavior performance in laboratory. Spring ( Hordeum vulgare L.) Salome was exposed volatiles from Fairytale (SeF), Anakin (SeA), or clean air (Se0). used an electrical penetration graph test effect exposure neighbor bird cherry-oat aphids Rhopalosiphum padi L.). also assessed relative growth rate, intrinsic rate increase, development time unexposed plants. Aphids spent significantly longer epidermis mesophyll tissues SeF than Se0, no difference observed SeA Se0. Significant decreases duration phloem ingestion sustained were recorded showing volatile-induced cause difficulty for feed. However, differences these variables detected reduced increase compared Se0 SeA. Our study that, a specific combination, one another change performance, probably due changes host properties/quality. results provide insightful explanation responsible previously field.