Cryptic plant-colonizing fungi alter secondary metabolites in the chemically diverse, tropical plant Piper

The tropical plant genus, Piper, is well-known from the common table spice, black pepper (Piper nigrum). However, this plant genus is host to over 2000 species worldwide, with the chemistry of different plant species varying widely. This dissimilarity in plant chemistry has important consequences for the organisms that interact with it. Insects that feed on its tissue have to cope with the toxic chemicals, which can affect their ability to mount an immune response against an enemy. One feature that has not been investigated is how fungi that colonize plant tissue mediate the interactions between host plant and insects. In other plant systems, fungi contribute to the chemistry found in plants. The purpose of this research is to assess how this group of fungi alter plant chemistry and whether the compounds are produced directly by the fungi or indirectly by the plant as colonizing it may trigger an immune response.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jonathan Newman

Student:

Partner:

Universidade de São Paulo

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Guelph

Program: