%0 Journal Article
%T An aeroponic culture system for the study of root herbivory on Arabidopsis thaliana
%A Martha M Vaughan
%A Dorothea Tholl
%A James G Tokuhisa
%J Plant Methods
%D 2011
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1746-4811-7-5
%X We have developed an aeroponic culture system based on a calcined clay substrate that allows insect herbivores to feed on plant roots while providing easy recovery of the root tissue. The culture method was validated by a root-herbivore system developed for Arabidopsis thaliana and the herbivore Bradysia spp. (fungus gnat). Arabidopsis root mass obtained from aeroponically grown plants was comparable to that from other culture systems, and the plants were morphologically normal. Bradysia larvae caused considerable root damage resulting in reduced root biomass and water absorption. After feeding on the aeroponically grown root tissue, the larvae pupated and emerged as adults. Root damage of mature plants cultivated in aeroponic substrate was compared to that of Arabidopsis seedlings grown in potting mix. Seedlings were notably more susceptible to Bradysia feeding than mature plants and showed decreased overall growth and survival rates.A root-herbivore system consisting of Arabidopsis thaliana and larvae of the opportunistic herbivore Bradysia spp. has been established that mimics herbivory in the rhizosphere. Bradysia infestation of Arabidopsis grown in this culture system significantly affects plant performance. The culture method will allow simple profiling and in vivo functional analysis of root defenses such as chemical defense metabolites that are released in response to belowground insect attack.Belowground herbivory affects plant performance in several ways. For example, insect feeding on plant roots reduces uptake of water and nutrients, limits carbohydrate storage, and changes the production of phytohormones [1-3]. Such alterations in the physical, biochemical, and physiological state of plants can influence surrounding organismal communities both above-and belowground [2,4].Plants have developed multiple strategies such as tolerance and direct and indirect defenses to cope with or defeat herbivore attack [5-7]. Direct defense mechanisms involve the product
%U http://www.plantmethods.com/content/7/1/5