Nematode abundance’s affect on multiple herbivore performance and plant quality

This study aimed to understand how the abundance of nematodes in the soil affect plant quality, as well as herbivory in milkweed and dogbane. 61 plants were marked in experimental successional fields at Blandy Experimental Farm in 2021. 200cc of soil were taken from the marked plants as well measures of plant quality (i.e. plant height, leaf count, leaf damage, amount of latex present). Some leaves were collected for conducting herbivore bioassays to attempt to assess plant quality. The herbivores used for Dogbane plants were Dogbane beetles and Dogbane tiger moth larvae and the herbivores used for Milkweed plants were Red Milkweed Beetles, Monarch larvae, and Dogbane Tiger Moths. The data collected will be used to see if there are any correlations between nematode abundance and plant quality and/or herbivory.