Drought has negative consequences on aphid fitness and plant vigor

Insights from a meta-analysis

verfasst von

Daniel J. Leybourne, Katharine F. Preedy, Tracy A. Valentine, Jorunn I.B. Bos, Alison J. Karley

Abstract

Aphids are abundant in natural and managed vegetation, supporting a diverse community of organisms and causing damage to agricultural crops. Due to a changing climate, periods of drought are anticipated to increase, and the potential consequences of this for aphid–plant interactions are unclear. Using a meta-analysis and synthesis approach, we aimed to advance understanding of how increased drought incidence will affect this ecologically and economically important insect group and to characterize any potential underlying mechanisms. We used qualitative and quantitative synthesis techniques to determine whether drought stress has a negative, positive, or null effect on aphid fitness and examined these effects in relation to (a) aphid biology, (b) geographical region, and (c) host plant biology. Across all studies, aphid fitness is typically reduced under drought. Subgroup analysis detected no difference in relation to aphid biology, geographical region, or the aphid–plant combination, indicating the negative effect of drought on aphids is potentially universal. Furthermore, drought stress had a negative impact on plant vigor and increased plant concentrations of defensive chemicals, suggesting the observed response of aphids is associated with reduced plant vigor and increased chemical defense in drought-stressed plants. We propose a conceptual model to predict drought effects on aphid fitness in relation to plant vigor and defense to stimulate further research.

Externe Organisation(en)

University of Dundee
The James Hutton Institute
Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland

Typ

Artikel

Journal

Ecology and evolution

Band

11

Seiten

11915-11929

Anzahl der Seiten

15

ISSN

2045-7758

Publikationsdatum

09.09.2021

Publikationsstatus

Veröffentlicht

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Ökologie, Evolution, Verhaltenswissenschaften und Systematik, Ökologie, Natur- und Landschaftsschutz

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung

SDG 13 – Klimaschutzmaßnahmen

Elektronische Version(en)

https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7957 (Zugang: Offen)