Summary
This systematic review and meta-analysis by Tronson and Enders (2025), published in Ecology, examines whether and to what extent root-associated microorganisms — such as mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria — can improve plant tolerance to insect herbivore damage. By synthesising findings across a broad body of experimental literature, the study likely quantifies the overall effect size of root microbe associations on plant performance under insect attack, while exploring potential moderating variables such as microbe type, plant species, and insect feeding guild. The work contributes to a growing understanding of belowground–aboveground interactions as a mechanism for natural resilience in plant systems.
UK applicability
Although not UK-specific, the findings are broadly applicable to UK agricultural and horticultural contexts where root microbiome management — through reduced tillage, cover cropping, or inoculants — is increasingly considered as part of integrated pest management and agroecological approaches to crop resilience.
Key measures
Plant tolerance to insect herbivory (effect size); plant biomass or growth response; presence and type of root microbes (e.g. mycorrhizal fungi, rhizobacteria); magnitude of microbially mediated tolerance across plant and microbe types
Outcomes reported
The study synthesised evidence across multiple studies to quantify the effect of root-associated microorganisms on plant tolerance to insect damage, likely reporting effect sizes for plant performance metrics such as biomass, growth, and survival under herbivory pressure.
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