%A Orrell,Peter %A Bennett,Alison %D 2013 %J Frontiers in Plant Science %C %F %G English %K Food security,arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF),Rhizobia,PGPR-bacteria,Pollination,Herbivory,intercropping,indirect defense,predator %Q %R 10.3389/fpls.2013.00432 %W %L %M %P %7 %8 2013-October-30 %9 Review %+ Dr Alison Bennett,James Hutton Institute,Ecological Sciences,Errol Road,Invergowrie,Dundee,DD2 5DA,United Kingdom,bennett.1242@osu.edu %# %! Above–belowground interactions and food security %* %< %T How can we exploit above–belowground interactions to assist in addressing the challenges of food security? %U https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2013.00432 %V 4 %0 JOURNAL ARTICLE %@ 1664-462X %X Can above–belowground interactions help address issues of food security? We address this question in this manuscript, and review the intersection of above–belowground interactions and food security. We propose that above–belowground interactions could address two strategies identified by Godfray etal. (2010): reducing the Yield Gap, and Increasing Production Limits. In particular, to minimize the difference between potential and realized production (The Yield Gap) above–belowground interactions could be manipulated to reduce losses to pests and increase crop growth (and therefore yields). To Increase Production Limits we propose two mechanisms: utilizing intercropping (which uses multiple aspects of above–belowground interactions) and breeding for traits that promote beneficial above–belowground interactions, as well as breeding mutualistic organisms to improve their provided benefit. As a result, if they are managed correctly, there is great potential for above–belowground interactions to contribute to food security.