Drought has negative consequences on aphid fitness and plant vigor

Insights from a meta-analysis

authored by: 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.
External Organisation(s): University of Dundee
The James Hutton Institute
Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland
Type: Article
Journal: Ecology and evolution
Volume: 11
Pages: 11915-11929
No. of pages: 15
ISSN: 2045-7758
Publication date: 09.09.2021
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Ecology, Nature and Landscape Conservation
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 13 - Climate Action
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7957 (Access: Open)