Relative importance of fertiliser addition to plants and exclusion of predators for aphid growth in the field
| Autor: | Christine B. Müller, Mark D. E. Fellowes, H. Charles J. Godfray |
|---|---|
| Přispěvatelé: | University of Zurich, Müller, C B |
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2016 |
| Předmět: |
Food Chain
Population Dynamics natural enemies Generalist and specialist species Predation 10127 Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies Animals Senecio Aphis jacobaeae Fertilizers Ecology Evolution Behavior and Systematics Trophic level Analysis of Variance Aphid Herbivore biology Ants Ecology fungi Jacobaea food and beverages Aphididae biochemical phenomena metabolism and nutrition biology.organism_classification Senecio jacobaea Aphis 1105 Ecology Evolution Behavior and Systematics England Aphids Predatory Behavior 570 Life sciences 590 Animals (Zoology) community ecology |
| Popis: | Herbivore dynamics and community structure are influenced both by plant quality and the actions of natural enemies. A factorial experiment manipulating both higher and lower trophic levels was designed to explore the determinants of colony growth of the aphid Aphis jacobaeae, a specialist herbivore on ragwort Senecio jacobaea. Potential plant quality was manipulated by regular addition of NPK-fertiliser and predator pressure was reduced by interception traps; the experiment was carried out at two sites. The size and persistence of aphid colonies were measured. Fertiliser addition affected plant growth in only one site, but never had a measurable effect on aphid colony growth. In both habitats the action of insect predators dominated, imposing strong and negative effects on aphid colony performance. Ants were left unmanipulated in both sites and their performance on the aphid colonies did not significantly differ between sites or between treatments. Our results suggest that, at least for aphid herbivores on S. jacobaea, the action of generalist insect predators appears to be the dominant factor affecting colony performance and can under certain conditions even improve plant productivity. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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