Abstract Three developmental stages of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), can be found in soil (late third instar larvae, pupae, and teneral adults). These are susceptible to predation by generalist ground-dwelling predators. Our objectives have been investigate association between ground cover management (bare soil, a seeded Festuca arundinacea ...

Silicon (Si) is taken up from the soil as monosilicic acid by plant roots, transported to leaves and deposited as phytoliths, amorphous silica (SiO2) bodies, which are a key component of anti-herbivore defense in grasses. Silicon transporters have been identified in many plant species, but the mechanisms underpinning Si transport remain poorly understood. Specifically, the extent to which Si up...

Alllelopathic potential of chicory was investigated by evaluating its effect on seed germination, soluble sugar, malondialdehyde (MDA) and the chlorophyll content of three target plants species (Festuca arundinacea, Trifolium repens and Medicago sativa). The secretion of allelochemicals was regulated by keeping the donor plant (chicory) separate from the three target plant species and using dif...

Increasing plant diversity in the perennial phase of pasture-crop rotations is predicted to positively affect belowground productivity and microbial communities and, turn, augment agroecosystem services including soil health carbon storage. Using two grass one legume forage species grown as monocultures combined four intercropped combinations, we evaluated how identity richness influence produc...

Epichloë endophytes are common symbionts living asymptomatically in pooid grasses and may provide chemical defences against herbivorous insects. While the mechanisms underlying these fungal defences have been well studied, it remains unknown whether endophyte presence affects the host's own defences. We addressed this issue by examining variation in the impact of Epichloë on constitutive and he...

Soil nitrogen (N) is a common limiting factor where soil N-cycling key component of agroecosystems. N transformation processes are largely mediated by microbes, and understanding bacteria involvement in agricultural systems has both agronomic environmental importance. This 2 yr field-scale study examined the abundances spatial distributions total bacterial community (16S rRNA), involved nitrifi...

1 We established monocultures and 16 unique mixed communities of 12 native grasses, legumes and non-N 2 -fixing forbs. We identified species having a greater or lesser yield in the mixed communities than expected from monoculture data as winners and losers, respectively. To test our hypothesis that performance of the subordinate species (losers) is mainly controlled by light availability, where...