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Long-term effects of defoliation on quaking aspen in relation to genotype and nutrient availability: plant growth, phytochemistry and insect performance

  • Plant Animal Interactions
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Abstract

This research tested the long-term effects of defoliation on aspen chemistry and growth in relation to genotype and nutrient availability. We grew saplings of four aspen genotypes in a common garden under two conditions of nutrient availability, and subsequently subjected them to two levels of artificial defoliation. Artificial defoliation suppressed plant growth, and saplings of the four genotypes did not show evidence of genetic variation in tolerance to defoliation. Phenolic glycoside concentrations did not respond to defoliation, but were influenced by genotype and nutrient availability. Condensed tannins responded to defoliation and varied among genotypes. Although defoliation affected condensed tannins, plant quality was not altered in a manner important for gypsy moth performance. Regression analyses suggested that phenolic glycoside concentrations accounted for most of the variation in insect performance. The lack of a strong response important for herbivores was surprising given the severity of the defoliation treatment (nearly 100% of leaf area was removed). In this study, plant genotype was of primary importance, nutrient availability was of secondary importance and long-term induced responses were unimportant as determinants of insect performance.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by USDA NRI Competitive Grant no. 95–37302–1810, NSF grant DEB 0074427 and UW Hatch Project no. 3931 to R.L.L. We thank Sarah Glodoski, Sarah Wood, Heidi Barnhill and Brian Kopper for technical assistance. Lynn Hummel and Laura Van Slyke provided invaluable assistance at the Walnut Street greenhouses. Thanks to Jen Klug, Eric Kruger and Ken Raffa for comments on the manuscript, Rick Nordheim for statistical advice and Gary Bernon (USDA APHIS) for providing gypsy moth eggs.

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  1. Tod L. Osier

    Present address: Biology Department, Fairfield University, North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT, 06430, USA

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  1. Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA

    Tod L. Osier & Richard L. Lindroth

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Correspondence to Tod L. Osier.

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Osier, T.L., Lindroth, R.L. Long-term effects of defoliation on quaking aspen in relation to genotype and nutrient availability: plant growth, phytochemistry and insect performance. Oecologia 139, 55–65 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-003-1481-3

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