Published January 1, 2021 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Can symbiotic fungi protect plants from insect pests? A simple mathematical model

  • 1. Yuzuncu Yil Univ, Fac Agr, Dept Plant Protect, Tusba, Turkey
  • 2. Univ Torino, Dipartimento Matemat Giuseppe Peano, Via Carlo Alberto 10, I-10123 Turin, Italy

Description

A mathematical model is proposed for simulating and understanding the relationship between the potato plant and its most significant pest, the Colorado potato beetle, when mediated by mycorrhiza, a symbiotic plant-fungus association. From its analysis it is seen that, quite counterintuitively, an overabundant use of mycorrhiza for enhancing productivity is rather detrimental, in that it triggers persistent oscillations in the foliage and the population of the beetle, giving an instance of the paradox of enrichment. Some indications for biological pest control arise from the investigation of the bifurcations that occur in the model ecosystem.

Files

bib-c39171f7-b7fa-491c-ab58-358c102a5dec.txt

Files (232 Bytes)

Name Size Download all
md5:9c7387c46b48c6951dcad22d1433a298
232 Bytes Preview Download