Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)—tiny underground symbionts—may hold the key to reducing pest pressure in agriculture. A new study published in BioControl reveals that AMF can significantly lower the growth and reproduction rates of Myzus persicae, the notorious green peach aphid, when inoculated on pepper plants.
How Mycorrhizae Influence Pest Populations
AMF form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, improving nutrient uptake and strengthening natural defenses. In this study, pepper plants (Capsicum annuum) were grown in three ways:
- Non-mycorrhizal (control)
- Seed inoculated with AMF
- Seedling inoculated with AMF
Aphids feeding on untreated (control) plants had significantly higher reproductive rates (R₀) and population growth rates (r) than those on AMF-treated plants. The presence of mycorrhizae altered plant physiology, triggering systemic defense mechanisms through salicylic acid and jasmonic acid pathways.
These plant responses made the leaves less nutritious for aphids, reducing their survival, fecundity, and overall population growth.
Key Results
- Aphids on AMF-inoculated plants had ~25% lower fecundity and slower population doubling.
- Intrinsic growth rates (r) dropped from 0.316 in control plants to 0.26–0.27 in AMF treatments.
- The beneficial fungi improved plant resilience without any pesticide use.
Toward Eco-Friendly Pest Control
The findings highlight AMF as a potential biological tool in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems. Instead of relying solely on synthetic insecticides, farmers could use mycorrhizal inoculants to naturally enhance crop defense.
By strengthening the soil microbiome and boosting plant immunity, AMF offer a twofold benefit—healthier plants and reduced pest outbreaks.
Reference
Berber Tortop, G., Özgönen Özkaya, H., & Birgücü, A. K. (2025). Effects of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on some biological characteristics of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). BioControl. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-025-10357-7
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