Ragweed allergy is one of the primary causes of seasonal allergies in Europe and its prevalence is expected to rise. The leaf beetle Ophraella communa, recently and accidentally established in N-Italy and S-Switzerland, represents a promising approach to control ragweed, but negative side effects should be excluded before its use. Since biotic and abiotic stresses are known to influence the allergenicity of pollen, we set out to assess the effect of sub-lethal defoliation by O. communa on the quantity and quality of ragweed pollen. Seventeen sister pairs (including six clones) of ragweed plants were grown in controlled conditions. One of each pair was exposed to O. communa as soon as the plant started to produce reproductive structures. After 10 weeks of exposure, plant traits were measured as a proxy for pollen quantity. Pollen quality was assessed by measuring its viability and allergenicity. Generally, plants produced very few male flowers and little amount of pollen. Damage by the beetle was severe with most of the leaf tissue removed, but no treatment effect was found on any of the quantitative and qualitative traits assessed. In conclusion, O. communa did not increase the amount or allergenicity of ragweed pollen grains in our experimental conditions.

Lommen, S., Ciappetta, S., Ghiani, A., Asero, R., Gentili, R., Müller-Schärer, H., et al. (2017). Defoliation of common ragweed by Ophraella communa beetle does not affect pollen allergenicity in controlled conditions. PLANT BIOSYSTEMS, 151(6), 1094-1100 [10.1080/11263504.2016.1244122].

Defoliation of common ragweed by Ophraella communa beetle does not affect pollen allergenicity in controlled conditions

Ciappetta, S;Ghiani, A;Gentili, R;Citterio, S
2017

Abstract

Ragweed allergy is one of the primary causes of seasonal allergies in Europe and its prevalence is expected to rise. The leaf beetle Ophraella communa, recently and accidentally established in N-Italy and S-Switzerland, represents a promising approach to control ragweed, but negative side effects should be excluded before its use. Since biotic and abiotic stresses are known to influence the allergenicity of pollen, we set out to assess the effect of sub-lethal defoliation by O. communa on the quantity and quality of ragweed pollen. Seventeen sister pairs (including six clones) of ragweed plants were grown in controlled conditions. One of each pair was exposed to O. communa as soon as the plant started to produce reproductive structures. After 10 weeks of exposure, plant traits were measured as a proxy for pollen quantity. Pollen quality was assessed by measuring its viability and allergenicity. Generally, plants produced very few male flowers and little amount of pollen. Damage by the beetle was severe with most of the leaf tissue removed, but no treatment effect was found on any of the quantitative and qualitative traits assessed. In conclusion, O. communa did not increase the amount or allergenicity of ragweed pollen grains in our experimental conditions.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
allergenicity; Ambrosia artemisiifolia; biological control; common ragweed; Ophraella communa; pollen;
allergenicity; Ambrosia artemisiifolia; biological control; common ragweed; Ophraella communa; pollen; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Plant Science
English
2017
151
6
1094
1100
reserved
Lommen, S., Ciappetta, S., Ghiani, A., Asero, R., Gentili, R., Müller-Schärer, H., et al. (2017). Defoliation of common ragweed by Ophraella communa beetle does not affect pollen allergenicity in controlled conditions. PLANT BIOSYSTEMS, 151(6), 1094-1100 [10.1080/11263504.2016.1244122].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/143707
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