TY - JOUR AU - Paliwal, Ishita AU - Reintjes, Caitlin AU - Schimmer, Pamela AU - Schoenhardt, Mary Anne AU - Yang, Jasmine PY - 2018/11/25 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - The effect of applying starch onto Arabidopsis thaliana on the feeding behaviour of Myzus persicae: Ideas and Perspectives JF - Sciential - McMaster Undergraduate Science Journal JA - Sciential VL - 1 IS - 1 SE - Original Research DO - 10.15173/sciential.v1i1.1922 UR - https://journals.mcmaster.ca/sciential/article/view/1922 SP - 9-15 AB - <p>It is well known that plant-animal systems interact in many complex ways, and each organism must adapt and develop mechanisms to best survive in their given conditions. While much is understood about the plant <em>Arabidopsis thaliana</em> and the aphid <em>Myzus persicae</em>, additional research must be conducted to gain more knowledge about the interactions between the two species. As a defence mechanism, in response to aphid feeding, <em>A. thaliana</em> converts sucrose into starch. Due to a lack of sucrose, there is less feeding by <em>M. persicae</em>. However, it has not yet been shown if these aphids are able to detect an increase in starch and recognize this as a deterrent to feeding. To test this, varying concentrations of potato starch were applied mechanically to <em>A. thaliana</em> (n=36) and the effect on aphid population size and plant health was analyzed. The research team found that <em>M. persicae</em> do not detect higher starch levels on <em>A. thaliana</em> as an indicator that nutrient availability on the plant is limited. Instead, it was found that on all but one plant, high starch concentration was a factor in plant deterioration. Thus, the research team advises against using starch as an organic pesticide. The findings of this study are significant as they will contribute to a better understanding of the organisms that threaten plant health, which will prove to be useful in the maintenance of various food crops.</p> ER -