How Does the Mycorrhizal Symbiosis Affect Plant-Herbivore Interactions?

Presented by Adam Frew, USQ

Date:	27 May 2020
Time:	12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Venue:	Online
Contact:	For more information, please contact Xiaohui Tao.
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he majority of plants form symbiotic associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. These 
fungi not only affect the growth and nutrient status of their host plants, but their secondary chemistry and 
interactions with natural enemies. Indeed, most terrestrial plants will be attacked by one, if not many, species 
of herbivorous invertebrates. As such, mycorrhizal-plant-herbivore interactions are globally ubiquitous. 
Despite our increasing understanding of these tripartite interactions, there is less appreciation for how the 
mycorrhizal symbiosis interacts with belowground herbivores. 

In this talk, Dr. Frew will present results from a combination of experiments investigating how the mycorrhizal 
symbiosis can affect herbivorous invertebrates. Our findings highlight the context-specific nature of the 
effects of AM fungi on herbivores, and the potential for climate change to alter the outcomes.