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BACKGROUND Trichoderma spp. are soil fungi that interact with plant roots and associated biota such as other microorganisms and soil fauna. However, information about their interactions with root‐feeding insects is limited. Here, interactions between Trichoderma harzianum and the root‐feeding insect Phyllophaga vetula, a common insect pest in maize agroecosystems, were examined. RESULTS Applications of T. harzianum and P. vetula to the root system increased and decreased maize growth, respectively. Induced tolerance against herbivore attack was provided by T. harzianum maintaining a robust and functional root system as evidenced by the increased uptake of Cu, Ca, Mg, Na and K. Herbivore tolerance also coincided with changes in the emission of root volatile terpenes known to induce indirect defense responses and attract natural enemies of the herbivore. More importantly, T. harzianum induced de novo emission of several sesquiterpenes such as β‐caryophyllene and δ‐cadinene. In addition, single and combined applications of T. harzianum and P. vetula altered the sucrose content of the roots. Finally, T. harzianum produced 6‐pentyl‐2H‐pyran‐2‐one (6‐PP) a volatile compound that may act as an antifeedant‐signaling compound mitigating root herbivory by P. vetula. CONCLUSION Our results provide novel information about belowground multitrophic plant–microbe–arthropod interactions between T. harzianum and P. vetula in the maize rhizosphere resulting in alterations in maize phenotypic plant responses, inducing root herbivore tolerance.

BACKGROUND The multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus of Spodoptera frugiperda (SfMNPV) plays an important role in regulating its natural host and has high potential for use as a bioinsecticide. However, information about how agricultural practices such as fertilization and plant biotic interactions affect the biocontrol efficacy of SfMNPV is limited. In this study, we examined how multitrophic maize–mycorrhiza–insect herbivore interactions affect the biocontrol efficacy of SfMNPV against S. frugiperda under full and reduced mineral nitrogen fertilization. Two fully factorial greenhouse pot experiments with three factors were performed: (i) arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (with and without AMF), (ii) nitrogen fertilization (50% and 100% N), and (iii) insect (with and without of S. frugiperda). The biocontrol efficacy of SfMNPV against S. frugiperda was examined using detached leaves under controlled environmental conditions. RESULTS Associating maize with AMF resulted in multitrophic cascade effects. Plants with AMF showed suppression of plant growth and increased leaf N and P content, which coincided with increased foliar herbivory and larval biomass that finally reduced the susceptibility of S. frugiperda to SfMNPV. Reduced levels of N fertilization mitigated these observed cascade effects on the biocontrol efficacy of SfMNPV with maize mycorrhizas. CONCLUSION Our results show that AMF can modulate S. frugiperda–SfMNPV interactions via plant‐mediated phenotypic responses to the mycorrhizal association and are most likely linked with increased leaf food quality for S. frugiperda. These results call for further studies to address the mode of interaction and possible implications for pest management in maize agroecosystems. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

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