Tomato Below Ground-Above Ground Interactions: Trichoderma longibrachiatum Affects the Performance of Macrosiphum euphorbiae and Its Natural Antagonists (vol 26, pg 1249, 2013)

Belowground and aboveground plant-insect-microorganism interactions are complex and regulate most of the developmental responses of important crop plants such as tomato. We investigated the influence of root colonization by a non-mycorrhizal Plant Growth Promoting Fungus (PGPF) on direct and indirect defences of tomato plant against aphids. The multitrophic system included the plant Solanum lycopersicum (variety San Marzano nano), the root associated biocontrol fungus T. longibrachiatum strain MK1, the aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae (a tomato pest), the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi and the aphid predator Macrolophus pygmaeus. Laboratory bioassays were performed to assess the effect of Trichoderma longibrachiatum MK1, interacting with tomato plant, on: quantity and quality of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by tomato plant, aphid development and reproduction, parasitoid behaviour, predator behaviour and development. When compared to the uncolonized controls, plants whose roots were colonized by T. longibrachiatum MK1 showed: quantitative differences in the release of specific VOCs; a better development and reproduction of the aphid; a higher attractiveness towards the aphid parasitoid and the aphid predator; a quicker development of aphid predator. These findings support the development of novel strategies of integrated control of aphid pests. The species-specific or strain-specific characteristics of these belowground-aboveground interactions remain to be assessed.