Phytopathogens and herbivores induce plant defences. Whereas there is evidence that some pathogens suppress these defences by interfering with signalling pathways involved in the defence, such evidence is scarce for herbivores. We found that the invasive spider mite Tetranychus evansi suppresses the induction of the salicylic acid and jasmonic acid signalling routes involved in induced plant defences in tomato. This was reflected in the levels of inducible defence compounds, such as proteinase inhibitors, which in mite-infested plants were reduced to even lower levels than the constitutive levels in herbivore-free plants. Additionally, the spider mite suppressed the release of inducible volatiles, which are implicated in plant defence. Consequently, the mites performed much better on previously attacked plants than on non-attacked plants. These findings provide a new perspective on plant–herbivore interactions, plant protection and plant resistance to invasive species.
A herbivore that manipulates plant defence
R. Sarmento,F. Lemos,P. Bleeker,R. Schuurink,A. Pallini,M. G. Oliveira,E. Lima,M. Kant,M. Sabelis,A. Janssen
Published 2011 in Ecology Letters
ABSTRACT
PUBLICATION RECORD
- Publication year
2011
- Venue
Ecology Letters
- Publication date
2011-03-01
- Fields of study
Biology, Medicine, Environmental Science
- Identifiers
- External record
- Source metadata
Semantic Scholar, PubMed
CITATION MAP
EXTRACTION MAP
CLAIMS
CONCEPTS
- herbivore-free plants
Tomato plants with no prior herbivore attack, used as the baseline plant state.
Aliases: non-attacked plants
- inducible volatiles
Volatile compounds emitted by tomato as part of induced defense responses.
Aliases: defense volatiles, volatile defenses
- jasmonic acid signaling
A plant defense signaling route mediated by jasmonic acid in tomato.
Aliases: JA signaling, jasmonic acid signalling
- previously attacked plants
Tomato plants that had already experienced herbivore attack before the performance comparison.
- proteinase inhibitors
Tomato defense proteins that inhibit proteases and serve as an inducible defense compound.
Aliases: PIs
- salicylic acid signaling
A plant defense signaling route mediated by salicylic acid in tomato.
Aliases: SA signaling, salicylic acid signalling
- tetranychus evansi
An invasive spider mite herbivore examined for its effects on tomato defense responses.
Aliases: spider mite, invasive spider mite
- tomato
The host plant used to assess how mite feeding alters induced defenses.
REFERENCES
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