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.