Lagged effects of sawfly leaf herbivory on reproductive organs in cherry trees: Overcompensation in flower production reduces quality of fruits and seeds

PESCHIUTTA ML; SCHOLZ FG; GOLDSTEIN G; BUCCI SJ

BASIC AND APPLIED ECOLOGY

ELSEVIER GMBH, URBAN & FISCHER VERLAG

Lugar: ALEMANIA; Año: 2020

1439-1791

Herbivores reduce plant productivity by removing part of the assimilation surface. Also, they can alter plant traits that affect plant?pollinator interactions and reproductive success. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of defoliation by sawfly (Caliroa cerasi) larvae on fruit production and quality in three cultivars of sweet cherry (Prunus avium). We hypothesized that the fruit production and quality is reduced as a consequence of changes in the allocation of resources within the plant in response to partial leaf removal during the previous year. Number of flowers per branch meter tended to be higher in infested trees than in non-infested trees, while the number of fruits per leaf area was similar due to fruit abortion in all cultivars. Fruit quality was significantly affected by herbivory in different traits depending on cultivar. Infested Lapins and Van trees had significantly lower soluble solid content than non-infested trees. Titratable acidity and ripening index were higher in all infested trees. Infested Van trees also exhibited a significant decrease in equatorial diameter and fresh fruit weight as well as pulp fresh weight, fresh and dry weight of seed compared to non-infested trees. Overall our study highlights that the direct impact of herbivores at leaf level has lagged effects on productivity in terms of fruit and seed quality in the year following the leaf damage.