Blackmustard root herbivores can change the quality of volatile
releases in a way that results in a decrease in parasitoid oviposition
on aboveground herbivores (Soler et al., 2007b). A nonmutualistic
fungal root endophyte (Acremonium strictum) has
also been shown to reduce quantity but increase the variety of
volatiles emitted resulting in increased oviposition deposition by
moths (Jallow et al., 2008). The presence of rhizobia has also
been shown to increase the palatability of plants to mammalian
herbivores (Ritchie & Tilman, 1995). Decomposer bacteria and
fungi release nutrients which can directly influence plant growth
and reproduction.