In a belowground multitrophic interaction, Trichoderma harzianum induces maize root herbivore tolerance against Phyllophaga vetula

Background: Trichoderma spp. are soil fungi that interact with plant roots and associated biota such as other microorganisms and soil fauna. However, information about their interactions with root-feeding insects is limited. Here, interactions between Trichoderma harzianum and the root-feeding insect Phyllophaga vetula, a common insect pest in maize agroecosystems, were examined.

Results: Applications of T. harzianum and P. vetula to the root system increased and decreased maize growth, respectively. Induced tolerance against herbivore attack was provided by T. harzianum maintaining a robust and functional root system as evidenced by the increased uptake of Cu, Ca, Mg, Na and K. Herbivore tolerance also coincided with changes in the emission of root volatile terpenes known to induce indirect defense responses and attract natural enemies of the herbivore. More importantly, T. harzianum induced de novo emission of several sesquiterpenes such as β-caryophyllene and δ-cadinene. In addition, single and combined applications of T. harzianum and P. vetula altered the sucrose content of the roots. Finally, T. harzianum produced 6-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one (6-PP) a volatile compound that may act as an antifeedant-signaling compound mitigating root herbivory by P. vetula.

Conclusion: Our results provide novel information about belowground multitrophic plant-microbe-arthropod interactions between T. harzianum and P. vetula in the maize rhizosphere resulting in alterations in maize phenotypic plant responses, inducing root herbivore tolerance.