Plant genetic diversity affects multiple trophic levels and trophic interactions

Nian-Feng Wan (), Liwan Fu, Matteo Dainese, Yue-Qing Hu, Lars Pødenphant Kiær, Forest Isbell and Christoph Scherber
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Nian-Feng Wan: East China University of Science and Technology
Liwan Fu: Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health
Matteo Dainese: University of Verona
Yue-Qing Hu: Fudan University
Lars Pødenphant Kiær: University of Copenhagen
Forest Isbell: University of Minnesota
Christoph Scherber: Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Museum Koenig

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Intraspecific genetic diversity is an important component of biodiversity. A substantial body of evidence has demonstrated positive effects of plant genetic diversity on plant performance. However, it has remained unclear whether plant genetic diversity generally increases plant performance by reducing the pressure of plant antagonists across trophic levels for different plant life forms, ecosystems and climatic zones. Here, we analyse 4702 effect sizes reported in 413 studies that consider effects of plant genetic diversity on trophic groups and their interactions. We found that that increasing plant genetic diversity decreased the performance of plant antagonists including invertebrate herbivores, weeds, plant-feeding nematodes and plant diseases, while increasing the performance of plants and natural enemies of herbivores. Structural equation modelling indicated that plant genetic diversity increased plant performance partly by reducing plant antagonist pressure. These results reveal that plant genetic diversity often influences multiple trophic levels in ways that enhance natural pest control in managed ecosystems and consumer control of plants in natural ecosystems for sustainable plant production.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35087-7

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