Influence of mycorrhizal symbiosis on plant transcriptomic responses to chewing herbivores
The experiment consisted of 6 treatments: Non-mycorrhizal control plants without herbivory (Nm), Non mycorrhizal plants challenged with S. exigua (NmSe), Non mycorrhizal plants challenged with M. sexta (NmMs), F. mosseae inoculated control plants without herbivory (Fm), F. mosseae inoculated plants challenged with S. exigua (FmSe) and F. mosseae inoculated plants challenged with M. sexta (FmMs). Each treatment consisted of 3 biological replicates were used consisting in pulls of 2 different plants. After 5 weeks, a well-established mycorrhizal colonization was confirmed, and the herbivory assays were performed. Three 3rd instar S. exigua larvae or two neonate M. sexta larvae were placed on the three apical leaflets of the third true leaf inside a clip cage (30 mm). After 24 h, the larvae were removed, and the leaflets were frozen immediately in liquid nitrogen and stored at minus 80 degrees celcius. The extent of damage was assessed to confirm herbivory and the damage between herbivores was similar.