Ballhorn, Daniel J.; Heil, Martin; Schiwy, Susann; Jensen, Manfred:
Quantitative variability of direct chemical defense in primary and secondary leaves of lima bea
In: Journal of Chemical Ecology, Jg. 34 (2008), Heft 10, S. 1298 - 1301
2008Artikel/Aufsatz in Zeitschrift
Biologie
Titel:
Quantitative variability of direct chemical defense in primary and secondary leaves of lima bea
Autor*in:
Ballhorn, Daniel J.;Heil, Martin;Schiwy, SusannUDE
LSF ID
14837
Sonstiges
der Hochschule zugeordnete*r Autor*in
;
Jensen, ManfredUDE
LSF ID
5694
Sonstiges
der Hochschule zugeordnete*r Autor*in
Erscheinungsjahr:
2008

Abstract:

Ontogenetic variability in chemical plant defenses against herbivores is a common phenomenon, but the effects of this variability on herbivore–plant interactions are little understood. In a previous study on lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus), we found a trade-off between cyanogenesis, a direct defense, and the release of herbivore-induced volatile organic compounds (VOCs; mainly functioning as an indirect defense). Moreover, the expression of these two defenses could change during plant ontogeny. The present study aimed at elucidating whether such ontogenetic changes in plant defense can affect herbivore–plant interactions. We quantified feeding rates of a natural insect herbivore, the Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis), on primary and secondary leaves of individual lima bean plants. These insects strongly preferred low cyanogenic primary leaves over high cyanogenic secondary leaves. Although weakly defended by cyanogenesis, lima beans’ primary leaves showed protein concentrations and photosynthetic activities that did not differ significantly from secondary leaves at the time of analysis. Based on our findings, we suggest that lima beans’ longlived primary leaves function as efficient source organs, even beyond the stage of seedlings. This hypothesis may explain why primary leaves express a strong indirect defense by the release of herbivore induced VOCs.