Collembola and plant pathogenic, antagonistic and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: a review

The review focuses on interactions between plant pathogenic, antagonistic, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Collembola to explore the role of these arthropods in the control of plant diseases caused by soil borne fungal pathogens. Approximately forty years ago, the plant pathologist Elroy A. Curl and his co-workers of Auburn University (Alabama, USA) suggested for the first time a role of Collembola in plant disease control. The beneficial effect of springtails for plant health have been confirmed by several subsequent studies with different collembolan and fungal species. Collembola have been found to feed preferably on pathogenic rather than on antagonistic or arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal propagules, thus springtails can reduce the inoculum of pathogens without counteracting the activity of fungi beneficial for plant growth and health. Fungal characteristics that may affect the grazing activity of Collembola are also examined.