Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations on phloem sap composition of spring crops and aphid performance

Abstract

The concentration and composition of free amino acids and carbohydrates in the phloem sap of wheat and oilseed rape (OSR) and the effects on the performance of aphids (Rhopalosiphum padi and Myzus persicae) were determined under atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) enrichment. The analysis of phloem sap showed that carbohydrates and amino acid levels of the host plants were significantly affected by elevated CO₂ level. Among carbohydrate concentrations in the phloem sap, significant increases were observed in fructose and glucose in spring wheat under CO₂ enrichment, whereas no changes were observed in OSR. These changes in plant chemistry affected the performance of herbivorous insects (i.e. aphids) in varying ways, positively affecting the relative growth rate (RGR) of R. padi in spring wheat and negatively affecting the RGR of M. persicae on OSR.