SUNY Plattsburgh
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Student Posters
Center for Earth and Environmental Science
5-1-2014
Baseline Study of Herbivore Preferences to Plantvigor: A Distance-Mentored Undergraduate
Research Experience
Marc Anthony Peterson
SUNY Plattsburgh
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Recommended Citation
Peterson, Marc Anthony, "Baseline Study of Herbivore Preferences to Plant-vigor: A Distance-Mentored Undergraduate Research
Experience" (2014). Center for Earth and Environmental Science Student Posters. Book 3.
http://digitalcommons.plattsburgh.edu/cees_student_posters/3
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Baseline Study of Herbivore Preferences to Plant-vigor: A Distance Mentored Undergraduate Research Experience
Marc Anthony Peterson
Faculty Mentors: Drs. Jonathan Titus (SUNY Fredonia) and Danielle Garneau (SUNY Plattsburgh)
Department of Biology & Center for Earth and Environmental Science
SUNY Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Experimental Design
Abstract
HERBIVORE: Crickets (Acheta domesticus) are omnivores, but are
easy to replace, cost-effective, and are not detrimental to the
environment in the event of an outbreak.
PLANT: Mustard (Brassica rapa) fast life cycle (approx. 40 days).
•  Two varietals of the mustard were used (green and yellow), one
having less chlorophyll.
•  Leaf-area consumed will be quantified using ImageJ software.
Fast Plant Characteristics
80.0
•  3 Brassica rapa seeds planted in each of 8
locales. Following germination; thinned to 2.
Experimental Design (Table 1):
4 terraria (CONTROLS) (2 green, 2 yellow)
vs. 4 terraria (EXPTS) (2 green + cricket,
2 yellow + cricket).
Metrics (weekly):
•  Height (cm)
•  Abundance of leaves, flowers, and seed pods
•  Cricket mortality and immediate replacement
Table 1. Terraria codes for control/
treatment and varietals.
CG1
Control
Green 1
CG2
Control
Green 2
Average Abundance (n)
•  8 terraria with 5cm soil and vermiculite (3:1).
60.0
50.0
Leaves
40.0
Control
Yellow 1
CY2
Control
Yellow 2
EG1
Experimental
Green 1
EG2
Experimental
Green 2
EY1
Experimental
Yellow 1
120.0
EY2
Experimental
Yellow 2
100.0
•  Terraria were rotated: equalize sunlight and
watered every other day.
Statistics:
• T-tests and ANOVAs were used to compare growth and
reproductive metrics between controls and experimentals (cricket
addition).
Flowers
•  The remote faculty member will be the student’s primary sponsor and
mentor throughout the project
20.0
10.0
0.0
CG
CY
EG
EY
Terraria
Fig. 15. Average growth (leaves) and reproductive characteristics (flowers and pods) among controls and
experimentals (cricket addition).
Fig. 8. Array of control terraria of green and yellow varietals.
•  DMUR enables the utilization of modern technologies to effectively
collaborate with their sponsors (Skype, e-mail, etc)
Sources of Error/ Future Research
•  Mustard is part of a family of plants (Brassicaceae) that is
80.0
60.0
Aboveground (cm)
Belowground (cm)
40.0
20.0
known to harbor allelochemicals. It is a model organism for plant
growth
!  Leaves are being analyzed at Umass (Soil and Plant Tissue
Testing Lab) for total C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, & B.
!  Utilize another plant more palatable to herbivores.
0.0
CG
CY
EG
EY
Terraria
ImageJ:
Measurements of leaf area consumed will be estimated from
photos.
•  Undergraduates interested in doing independent research have the option
to work with faculty from other campuses
Pods
30.0
CY1
•  Artificially bred cultivar of mustard.
•  Life cycle is rapid and characteristics
are easily quantified (Fig. 1).
•  DMUR is a pilot program designed to extend the research opportunities
for students within the SUNY system
70.0
Average Length (cm)
Introduction
Distance Mentored Undergraduate Research (DMUR)
Results
•  Duration of experiment: Feb-22 - Apr-12, 2013
Fig. 17. Average aboveground and belowground length for controls and experimentals (cricket addition).
4.0
•  Fast plants grow tall and twist as they age. Measurements were
hindered by plant architecture (increased collateral damage).
3.5
Average Biomass (g)
Plants conspicuously display their energy production by a number of phenotypic characteristics;
such as the number of leaves, flowers, pods, and their growth rate. When under predation by an
herbivore, these factors can change significantly. Using such indicators to classify plant-vigor or
health, leaf-area measurements of Brassica rapa were used to determine if the herbivores
themselves select for healthier plants. The herbivore used in this study is the common field cricket
(Acheta domesticus). Wisconsin Fast Plants™ cultivars of Brassica were grown in eight separate
terraria. Two varietals of Brassica (green and yellow) were planted, resulting in four terraria for
each type. Control groups (two green and two yellow) have no herbivores added to the tanks.
Conversely, the experimental groups have Acheta applied to them. Variables such as the number
of leaves, flowers, seed pods, height, and cricket mortality, were measured once a week for seven
weeks. Photographs of leaf-area consumed will be analyzed using ImageJ, a computer program
used in scientific research. Dry biomass will also be measured as a secondary means of
measuring herbivory. Preliminary data shows a significant influence of seed pod production in the
experimental groups and also a lack of development in yellow varietals compared to green
Brassica. Once the leaf-area of predated leaves and the biomass of the terraria are analyzed,
then correlations between herbivore selection and plant-vigor can be assessed. Congestion within
the green tanks and general collateral damage during data collection has no doubt influenced the
numbers received. This can be amended, as every stem that snapped was recorded in a journal,
and such data can be omitted to eliminate unwanted variables.
•  Reduction in abundance of plants in each terrarium, as it
appeared herbivores had more than enough available food.
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
•  Consistently take herbivory photos with size-references.
1.0
0.5
0.0
•  Numerous varietals exist due to genetic
modification! easy to test ecological
questions.
CG
Fig. 9. Herbivore damage on yellow varietal.
www.PosterPresentations.com
Flowers Pods CG vs CY t=.128, p=0.9 t=4.33, p=0.0002 t=1.85, p=0.075 t=4.61, p<0.0001 t=6.79, p<0.0001 CG vs EG t=1.46, p=0.15 t=2.73, p=0.011 t=4.79, p<0.0001 t=-­‐1.85, p=0.074 t=.645, p=0.52 t=1.14, p=0.26 t=2.47, p=0.019 t=3.58, p=0.0012 t=2.82, p=0.0085 t=.164, p=0.87 t=1.93, p=0.064 t=1.46, p=0.15 t=-­‐2.72, p=0.011 t=.0323, p=0.97 t=2.25, p=0.032 t=5.49, p<0.0001 t=2.08, p=0.046 t=5.2, p<0.0001 p=0.0032 p<0.0001 p=0.014 p<0.0001 p<0.0001 CY vs EY Fig. 12. Herbivore damage to be analyzed.
Photo credit: Jessica Rigby.
Fig. #. Herbivore damage
Fig. 11. Label on terrarium EG1 (Experimental
Green 1).
Fig. 5. Cricket grazing on green varietal.
Photo credit: Jessica Rigby.
Fig. 6. Cricket range map.
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/crickets/adomest.html
TEMPLATE DESIGN © 2007
Leaves t=4.48, p=0.0001 ANOVA (CG vs CY p=0.0041 vs EG vs EY) Feeding: Omnivorous; also known to
cannibalize. Predominately herbivores (Fig. 5).
Range: Southern Canada to southern Texas
(excluding Florida). West towards the Great
Basin and an “oasis” of habitat in Southwest
California (Fig. 6).
Height (cm) EG vs EY Cricket Characterstics
Fig. 13. Measuring root length.
Photo credit: Jessica Rigby.
Fig. 14. Green varietal and sponge for cricket
hydration.
Root Length (cm) Biomass (g) Terraria Fig. 4. Green terraria became congested rapidly.
Lifespan: Approx. 2-3 months.
Characteristics:
•  Chirping is male specific. Rubbing of wings
produce song.
•  Females generally larger and have longer
antennae than males, as well as ovipositor.
•  Juveniles smaller and wingless.
EY
Table 2. T-test and ANOVA results for all of the above ground growth (Fig. 16, 17, and 18). Grids
highlighted in lavender show significant differences (p<0.05).
Fig. 1. Life cycle of Wisconsin Fast Plants
Fig. 10. Typical plant locale array. Each locale was
assigned a number. First locale in terrarium labeled
CG1 would be CG11, proceeding to CG18.
Fig. 3. Three plants per locale.
EG
Terraria
http://www.fastplants.org/resources/digital_library/index.php?
P=FullImage&ResourceId=133&FieldName=Screenshot
Fig. 2. True leaves developed.
CY
Fig. 18. Average biomass among control and experimental groups.
•  Controls: Green had significantly more flowers, above and belowground length,
and biomass. Differences in leaves and seed pods insignificant.
•  Both yellow groups (control and treatment) produced significantly less biomass
compared to green varietals, indicating less energy production.
! Supports idea of lesser glucose production resulting from reductions in
chlorophyll present in yellow varietals.
Fig. 20. Cricket feeding on green variant
Fig. 21. Cricket damage on yellow variant
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank a number of faculty, students, and friends for their knowledge,
patience, and care while conducting this experiment. Jessica Rigby, for her consistent
weekly aid with data collection. Her interest in the experiment was additional
motivation. Garret Wood, for his help with photography. Dr. Michael Burgess for his
limitless knowledge of plants. Kevyn Juneau for his techniques on measuring herbation
using ImageJ software, and Steve Kramer, for providing resources about Brassica rapa.
I would also like to thank the University of Massachusetts for analyzing plant samples
for elemental components.
Literature Cited
•  Experimentals (cricket addition): Green varietals had greater above and
belowground length, and greater biomass, but insignificant differences among
leaves, flowers, and pods.
Cartea, M.E. Fancisco, M. Lema, M. Soengas, P. Velasco, P. 2012. Resistance of cabbage (Brassica oleracea capitata
group) crop to Mamestra brassicae. Journal of Economic Entomology 103 (5): 1866-1874.
Cricket Mortality:
Experimental Green! N = 17
Experimental Yellow ! N = 23
Szelei, J. Woodring, M.S. Goettel, G. Duke, G. Jousset, F.-X. Liu, K.Y. Zadori, Z. Li, Y. Styer, E. Boucias, D.G.
Kleepsies, R.G. Bergoin, M. Tijssen, P. 2011. Susceptibility of North-American and European crickets to Acheta
domesticus densovirus (AdDNV) and associated epizootics. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 106: 394-399.
•  No difference in cricket mortality among plant varietals (P = 0.74).
Onyilagha, J.C. Ntamatungiro, S. Buckner, E. Matute, M. 2012. Evaluation of seed quality and vigor in the Brassica
(Brassica rapa L.). International Journal of Applied Engineering Research 7(7): 727-736.
Visanuvimol, L. Bertram, S.M. 2011. How dietary phosphorous availability during development influences condition and life
history traits of the cricket, Acheta domesitucs. Journal of Insect Science 11: 63.