Plant-microbe interactions can play an influential role in conferring resistance against herbivorous insects as well as impacting plant growth in agricultural crops. Microbes, like plant-associated fungi have beneficial effects for plants like improving nutrient uptake. Abiotic factors like variations in soil nutrients may impact the ability of these plant- associated fungi to confer resistance or tolerance to insect herbivores. We examined the potential of plant-associated fungi treated cotton, Gossypium hirusutum to confer resistance or tolerance to herbivorous insects when plants are under nutrient stress. We examined distinct species of plant associated fungi, Phialemonium inflatum, Beauvaria bassiana and two isolates of Chaetomium globosum. Cotton seeds were treated with these fungi to assess resistance and tolerance against the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii under nutrient stressed conditions. Plant tolerance and resistance will be assessed by quantifying aphid population numbers and analyzing plant growth data. Results of these experiments are promising.
