Periodic Reporting for period 2 - PRENEMA (Mechanisms and Ecological Relevance of Direct Plant Responses to the Third Trophic Level)
Berichtszeitraum: 2022-07-01 bis 2023-12-31
First, the PRENEMA team developed and validated of a new phenotyping platform (VolEx) that enables the simultaneous collection of root exudates and volatiles in a non-invasive manner. Using the VolEx system, we discovered that drought induced the exudation of multihexose benzoxazinoids. Because their production in plants and exact structure had previously not been fully elucidated, we isolated and characterized them through an extensive nuclear magnetic resonance study.
Second, the PRENEMA team is characterizing the plant response to entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs). The biological responses observed were significantly more variable than initially anticipated, necessitating an increased focus on characterizing the plant exudation response to EPNs and the myriad factors influencing it. In particular, the team conducted an extensive literature review on the impact of biotic and abiotic parameters on the dynamics of plant exudation.
Moreover, as our understanding of the project's core themes has evolved, we have expanded our research scope to include additional, related aspects. These supplementary inquiries include the completion of a de novo assembly of the EPN, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, genome and its annotation at a chromosome-scale, as well as the sequencing of 25 H. bacteriophora strains.
Third, we assessed whether the presence of EPNs in soil would affect multi trophic interactions in laboratory and field conditions. While EPNs did not affect belowground interactions, we observed that their presence in soil was sufficient to reduce the field populations of an insect pest, Ostrinia nubilalis. Further research is planned to identify the underlying mechanisms.
Overall, PRENEMA is to uncover nuanced insights into the intricate dynamics between plants and EPNs. We believe that PRENEMA will significantly contribute to the field, offering a more detailed and comprehensive understanding of tritrophic interactions.