Induced carbon reallocation and compensatory growth as root herbivore tolerance mechanisms

• DOI: 10.1111/pce.12359
• Publication Date: 2014-04-25T02:05:13Z
• Authors: CHRISTELLE A. M. ...; RICHARD A. FERRIERI; STEFANIE SCHIRMER; BENJAMIN A. BABST; MICHAEL J. SCHUELLER; RICARDO A. R. MAC...; CARLA C. M. ARCE; BRUCE E. HIBBARD; JONATHAN GERSHENZON; TED C. J. TURLINGS; MATTHIAS ERB
• Keywords: Root system

Abstract Upon attack by leaf herbivores, many plants reallocate photoassimilates below ground. However, little is known about how respond when the roots themselves come under attack. We investigated induced resource allocation in maize that are infested larvae Western corn rootworm D iabrotica virgifera . Using radioactive 11 CO 2 , we demonstrate root‐attacked allocate more new C carbon from source leaves to stems, but not roots. Reduced meristematic activity and reduced invertase attacked root systems identified as possible drivers of this shoot reallocation response. The increased stems shown be associated with a marked thickening these tissues growth stem‐borne crown A strong quantitative correlation between stem thickness regrowth across different watering levels suggests retaining shoots may help compensate for loss belowground tissues. Taken together, our results indicate tolerance an important strategy withstand Furthermore, herbivore‐induced needs taken into account studying plant‐mediated interactions herbivores.