![]() Insect-plant interactions are routed by a hierarchy of physical and chemical cues, and their full understanding represents a fascinating ecological challenge (Braga and Janz 2021). The results of this multi-factorial study shed light on how polyphagous insect pests can cope with multiple plant physiological and biochemical adaptations following biotic and abiotic preconditioning. littoralis-feeding behavior towards treated and untreated plants were observed, suggesting the ability of this generalist herbivore to overcome the plant chemical defenses boosted by UV-B exposure. ![]() AMF colonization levels were not affected by UV-B irradiation. AMF-inoculated plants showed hyphae, arbuscules, vesicles, and spores in their roots. Biometric and biochemical data did not differ between AMF and non-AMF plants. A considerable enrichment in phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanin, and carotenoid contents and antioxidant capacity, along with redder and more homogenous leaf color, were also observed in UV-B-treated but not in AMF-inoculated plants. Lettuce plants exposed to UV-B were heavier and taller than non-irradiated ones. In this study, we investigated plant ( Lactuca sativa) response to UV-B exposure and Funneliformis mosseae (IMA1) inoculation as well as the role of a major insect pest, Spodoptera littoralis. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and UV-B treatment can be used as eco-friendly techniques to protect crops from pests by activating plant mechanisms of resistance. The increased ultraviolet radiation (UV) due to the altered stratospheric ozone leads to multiple plant physiological and biochemical adaptations, likely affecting their interaction with other organisms, such as pests and pathogens.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |