Data from: Root herbivory indirectly affects above- and belowground community members and directly reduces plant performance

1.There is widespread recognition that above- and below-ground organisms
are linked through their interactions with host plants that span
terrestrial subsystems. In addition to direct effects on plants, soil
organisms such as root herbivores can indirectly alter interactions
between plants and other community members, with potentially important
effects on plant growth and fitness. 2. We manipulated root herbivory by
Acalymma vittatum in Cucumis sativus to determine indirect effects on
arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, leaf herbivory, the leaf pathogen downy
mildew, and pollinators. We also manipulated pollen receipt by plants to
determine if root herbivory reduced plant reproduction through changes in
pollinator visitation. 3. Overall, root herbivory had strong net negative
effects on plant growth and fitness, with 34% reductions in both leaf and
fruit production by high root damage levels relative to control, despite
reduced infection by downy mildew. High root herbivory also reduced floral
visitation by 39%, apparently due to lower flower production, as flower
size and scent were unaffected. Above-ground herbivory was not affected by
root herbivores. 4. Although root herbivory reduced pollinator visits,
pollen receipt manipulations had no effect on fruit set, indicating that
reduced pollinator service did not affect plant reproduction. 5.
Synthesis. Root herbivory had indirect effects on a range of community
members, including mutualists and antagonists both above- and
below-ground. Although reduced pathogen infection associated with root
herbivory would be expected to benefit plants, root herbivory had an
overall strong negative effect on plant growth and reproduction,
indicating that direct negative effects over-rode any potential indirect
benefits.