Hreidarsdóttir, Berglind, 2026. Trophic tales of Trichoderma and Metarhizium : microbial-induced resistance on sweet pepper plants: effects on aphids and hoverflies. Second cycle, A2E. Alnarp: SLU, Dept. of Plant Breeding (from 130101)
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Abstract
While the urgency to reduce dependence on synthetic pesticides increases, the understanding of ecological consequences of biological control strategies becomes crucial. Microbial-induced resistance (MIR) can be a promising component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) although effects across multiple trophic levels remain obscure.
This thesis examines the effects of Metarhizium robertsii and Trichoderma harzianum treatments on the defensive strategies of Capsicum annuum plants. Direct defences were assessed through the fecundity and development of the aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae, while indirect defences were
assessed through the attraction of the hoverfly Eupeodes corollae to a potential oviposition site.No conclusive effects were found on aphid performance. However, a significant difference in wing formation was observed between the two fungal treatments, which may indicate increased aphid stress. The strongest effects were observed in hoverfly behavioural responses, with greater attraction
to fungus-treated plants. These findings suggest that microbial-induced resistance may generate bottom-up cascading effects across trophic levels, influencing interactions between plants, herbivores, and their natural enemies
| Main title: | Trophic tales of Trichoderma and Metarhizium |
|---|---|
| Subtitle: | microbial-induced resistance on sweet pepper plants: effects on aphids and hoverflies |
| Authors: | Hreidarsdóttir, Berglind |
| Supervisor: | Clavé, Corentin and Becher, Paul |
| Examiner: | Biasazin, Tibebe Dejene |
| Series: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Volume/Sequential designation: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Year of Publication: | 2026 |
| Level and depth descriptor: | Second cycle, A2E |
| Student's programme affiliation: | LM008 Horticultural Science Master's Programme, 120.0hp |
| Supervising department: | (LTJ, LTV) > Dept. of Plant Breeding (from 130101) |
| Keywords: | microbial-induced resistance, Trichoderma harzianum, Metarhizium robertsii, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, Eupeodes corollae, HIPVs, olfactometer |
| URN:NBN: | urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-s-501276 |
| Permanent URL: | http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-s-501276 |
| Language: | English |
| Deposited On: | 12 Oct 2026 08:19 |
| Metadata Last Modified: | 12 Oct 2026 08:19 |
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