Nitrogen-mediated volatilisation of defensive metabolites in tomato confers resistance to herbivores.
Plant Cell Environ
; 47(8): 3227-3240, 2024 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38738504
ABSTRACT
Plants synthesise a vast array of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which serve as chemical defence and communication agents in their interactions with insect herbivores. Although nitrogen (N) is a critical resource in the production of plant metabolites, its regulatory effects on defensive VOCs remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the effect of N content in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) on the tobacco cutworm (Spodoptera litura), a notorious agricultural pest, using biochemical and molecular experiments in combination with insect behavioural and performance analyses. We observed that on tomato leaves with different N contents, S. litura showed distinct feeding preference and growth and developmental performance. Particularly, metabolomics profiling revealed that limited N availability conferred resistance upon tomato plants to S. litura is likely associated with the biosynthesis and emission of the volatile metabolite α-humulene as a repellent. Moreover, exogenous application of α-humulene on tomato leaves elicited a significant repellent response against herbivores. Thus, our findings unravel the key factors involved in N-mediated plant defence against insect herbivores and pave the way for innovation of N management to improve the plant defence responses to facilitate pest control strategies within agroecosystems.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Solanum lycopersicum
/
Spodoptera
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Folhas de Planta
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Compostos Orgânicos Voláteis
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Herbivoria
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Nitrogênio
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Plant Cell Environ
Assunto da revista:
BOTANICA
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
China