Organic Soils and Competitors Impact Herbivore Survival

Crop plants grown in organically fertilized soils respond differently to herbivory than those grown on conventionally fertilized soils. We examined soil-mediated effects on herbivore performance by growing potato plants from organic and conventionally fertilized soils in the presence of two herbivores (green peach aphids and Colorado potato beetles). Herbivore growth differed between soil types and correlates with biochemical nutrient quality and microbial composition, suggesting that soil management strategies that improve plant health may increase susceptibility to herbivory. This soil microbiome data is available in this submission.