title: How can we exploit above-belowground interactions to assist in addressing the challenges of food security?
abstract: Can above-belowground interactions help address issues of food security? We address this question in this manuscript, and review the intersection of above-belowground interactions and food security. We propose that above-belowground interactions could address two strategies identified by Godfray etal. (2010): reducing the Yield Gap, and Increasing Production Limits. In particular, to minimize the difference between potential and realized production (The Yield Gap) above-belowground interactions could be manipulated to reduce losses to pests and increase crop growth (and therefore yields). To Increase Production Limits we propose two mechanisms: utilizing intercropping (which uses multiple aspects of above-belowground interactions) and breeding for traits that promote beneficial above-belowground interactions, as well as breeding mutualistic organisms to improve their provided benefit. As a result, if they are managed correctly, there is great potential for above-belowground interactions to contribute to food security.
authors.affiliation: Ecological Sciences, James Hutton Institute Invergowrie, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Orrell
authors.forename: Alison E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Bennett
keywords: PGPR; arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; herbivory; indirect defense; intercropping; pollination; predators; rhizobia