Effects of fertilisation on amino acid mobilisation by a plant-manipulating insect
Résumé
1. Phytophagous insects frequently manipulate their host-plant to improve their immediate environment. This generally implies substantial modifications of host metabolism, and sometimes an alteration of nitrogen allocation within the host-plant. However, the outcome of plant manipulation on amino acid or protein content can be modulated by environmental factors and host-plant traits.
2. It was investigated whether the pseudogall induced by the aphid Phloeomyzus passerinii (Signoret) (Aphididae: Phloeomyzinae) in the bark of its host-plant affects the amino acid content in bark tissues, and whether the strength of the modification is modulated by the fertilisation regime and/or the resistance level of the host-plant. The development of aphid colonies on a resistant and a susceptible poplar genotype, under three fertilisation regimes, was studied. After the development of colonies, the free and protein-bound amino acid content of the infested bark were quantified.
3. Fertilisation enhanced poplar growth and increased the free amino acid content of bark tissues. Infestation also triggered accumulations of both free and protein-bound amino acids in the feeding sites, but in the susceptible genotype only. The increase in amino acid content was more pronounced when fertilisation was low, and fertilisation did not enhance aphid development.
4. In conclusion, infestation by P. passerinii triggers an accumulation of amino acids, but the effect is influenced by both the fertilisation regime and the resistance level of the host-plant. This suggests that P. passerinii could affect the allocation of nutrients within trees during outbreaks.