The effects of ecosystem complexity and biodiversity on the expression of ecologically relevant genes in a model plant, Solanum nigrum

The function of the majority of plant genes are not rigorously understood and little to nothing is known about the genetic basis of ecological sophistication. We propose to create Solanum nigrum cDNA microarrays enriched in genes whose expressions are thought to mediate ecological interactions (from Lycopersicon and Nicotiana) and whose functions are unknown but whose expressions are altered by: 1) mechanical wounding; 2) attack from specialist insect herbivores from two feeding guilds: a) single-cell feeders and b) free-living leaf chewers; 3) mycorrhizal fungal associations and 4) intraspecific competition. With these microarrays, we propose to examine the transcriptional changes that occur when S. nigrum plants are grown in communities of increasing biodiversity, with and without above-ground and below-ground herbivores and mycorrhizae, and variable soil nutritional regimes.

DFG-Verfahren Forschungsgruppen

Teilprojekt zu FOR 456:  The role of Biodiversity for element cycling and trophic interactions: An experimental approach in a grassland community