Guava root exudate‐driven rhizosphere microorganisms changes transmitted to foliar‐feeding insects influence their feeding behaviour

Abstract

SummaryThe growth of different grafted guava was different as affected by grafting on different rootstock varieties, which also influenced the damage degree of Spodoptera litura larvae. The co‐regulation of the pest gut by rhizosphere microorganisms and root exudates may contribute to this differential damage. In this study, the microorganisms of soil, plants, S. litura larvae and root exudates of guava grafted on different rootstock varieties were analysed and compared. The activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase in the midgut of S. litura larvae feeding on heterograft leaves of guava (where rootstock and scion are of the different variety) were significantly higher than those in the midgut of S. litura larvae feeding on homograft leaves of guava (where rootstock and scion are of the same variety), and glutathione s‐transferase activity showed an opposite result. Enterococcus spp. and Escherichia spp. were the two bacterial genera with the greatest difference in abundance in the midgut of S. litura larvae and exhibited a negative correlation with each other. The root system of guava influenced the root structure, soil nutrients and the population structure and diversity of rhizosphere microorganisms by regulating the type and amount of root exudates. Root exudates also influenced the physiological and biochemical status of S. litura larvae by regulating the rhizosphere microorganisms driving the tritrophic interaction of plant–microbes–insects. Based on our results and the observed differences in pest occurrence among different grafted plants, improving varieties through grafting may become an effective strategy to reduce the impact of insect pests on guava.