Water deficit and aphid resilience on wheat: examining Sitobion avenae F. and their bacterial symbionts interplay under controlled laboratory conditions.

BACKGROUND: Climate change has far-reaching effects on food security and agriculture, affecting crop yields and food distribution. Agriculture relies heavily on water for irrigation and production, making it vulnerable to water scarcity. Additionally, climate change can affect crop pest insects, leading to increased global crop losses, particularly in cereals, an important component of the human diet. Aphids are major crop pests and have a symbiotic relationship with bacterial endosymbionts that can contribute to their success as pests under a climate change scenario. To test the effect of drought on aphids, we examined varying levels of water deficit and endosymbiont composition on the grain aphid (Sitobion avenae) performance on wheat under controlled laboratory conditions. We measured the intrinsic rate of population increase (rm), the body weight of adult aphids, and the pre-reproductive period for different genotypes of the grain aphid (including Chilean superclones) under different irrigation regimes. We also analyzed the relative abundance of their endosymbionts under the different water treatments. RESULTS: Our findings revealed that water deficit affects each aphid genotype differently, impacting various traits. For instance, the body weight of adult aphids was notably affected by different water treatments, with aphids grown under intermediate water deficit (IW) being significantly bigger. The relative abundance of endosymbionts also varied among genotypes and water treatments-specifically Regiella insecticola had a noticeably higher abundance under IW (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable insights into the impact of water deficit on aphid performance and the role of endosymbionts in mitigating the effects of water deficit. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Facultative endosymbionts modulate the aphid reproductive performance on wheat cultivars differing in contents of benzoxazinoids.

BACKGROUND: Facultative bacterial endosymbionts have the potential to influence the interactions between aphids, their natural enemies, and host plants. Among the facultative symbionts found in populations of the grain aphid Sitobion avenae in central Chile, the bacterium Regiella insecticola is the most prevalent. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether infected and cured aphid lineages exhibit differential responses to wheat cultivars containing varying levels of the benzoxazinoid DIMBOA (2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one), which is a xenobiotic compound produced by plants. Specifically, we examined the reproductive performance responses of the most frequently encountered genotypes of Sitobion avenae when reared on wheat seedlings expressing low, medium, and high concentrations of DIMBOA. RESULTS: Our findings reveal that the intrinsic rate of population increase (rm ) in cured lineages of Sitobion avenae genotypes exhibits a biphasic pattern, characterized by the lowest rm and an extended time to first reproduction on wheat seedlings with medium levels of DIMBOA. In contrast, the aphid genotypes harbouring Regiella insecticola display idiosyncratic responses, with the two most prevalent genotypes demonstrating improved performance on seedlings featuring an intermediate content of DIMBOA compared to their cured counterparts. CONCLUSION: This study represents the first investigation into the mediating impact of facultative endosymbionts on aphid performance in plants exhibiting varying DIMBOA contents. These findings present exciting prospects for identifying novel targets for aphid control by manipulating the presence of aphid symbionts. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of silicon on aphid populations and wheat yield in Minas Gerais, Brazil / Efeito do silício em populações de afídeos e produtividade de trigo em Minas Gerais, Brasil

The area cultivated with wheat has been increasing in the savannahs of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Aphids are usually one of the main pests of wheat in many regions of the world; however, little is known about the aphid population in this new environment. The southern region of Brazil, the main wheat production area, has had several problems as a result of aphids, but aphid populations and the resulting impact on wheat production have not been investigated in these new crop production areas. Understanding control strategies to manage this insect could be essential for the “Cerrado” wheat that is grown in this area. The application of silicon (Si) has the potential to reduce the population growth of wheat aphids; however no field studies have been reported. Hence, we evaluated the effect of Si fertilization via soil application on the aphid populations and species composition and on yield components of wheat in three locations in Minas Gerais; the experiment was repeated simultaneously in Uberlândia, at the experimental areas of UFU and IFTM, and in Montes Claros, at the experimental area of UFMG, using the cultivars BRS 264 and BRS 394. The aphids first appeared just before wheat earing; they were then sampled six times over the course of the study, seven days apart, starting from 45 days after sowing. The aphid species Sitobion avenae (Fabricius), Schizaphis...(AU)

A área cultivada com trigo tem aumentado no cerrado presente no estado de Minas Gerais. Afídeos são frequentemente a principal praga dessa cultura em várias regiões do mundo porém, pouco se sabe a respeito de população de afídeos nesse novo ambiente. A região sul do Brasil, principal produtora de trigo, relatou vários problemas resultantes da presença de afídeos, mas as populações de pulgões e os seus impactos na produção do trigo ainda não foram investigados nesta nova área de produção. Portanto, é necessário conhecer a interação sobre pragas, culturas, e paisagens. Entender estratégias de controle para gerenciar esse inseto pode ser essencial para o trigo “Cerrado”. A aplicação de silício (Si) tem o potencial de reduzir o crescimento populacional de pulgões do trigo, porém não há relatos de estudos de campo. Nós avaliamos os efeitos da aplicação via solo de Si sobre populações de afídeos e sobre a composição de espécies, além de componentes de produtividade em três localidades em Minas Gerais. O experimento foi repetido simultaneamente em Uberlândia, nas áreas experimentais da UFU e do IFTM, e em Montes Claros, na área experimental da UFMG, utilizando as cultivares BRS 264 e BRS 394. Os primeiros pulgões ocorreram antes da formação da espiga, e os mesmos foram amostrados seis vezes ao longo do estudo, com sete dias de intervalo, iniciando 45 dias após a semeadura. As espécies de afídeo Sitobion avenae (Fabricius), Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) e Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) foram observadas nos três locais e S. avenae foi a espécie dominante em todos os locais. A área experimental da UFU apresentou o maior número de pulgões de S. avenae por perfilho para as duas cultivares, enquanto a UFMG apresentou as menores populações. As populações de afídeos e os aspectos de produção do trigo não foram afetados pela fertilização de Si no solo. Não houve diferenças de produtividade para a localização ou cultivares, mas a área de UFU e a cultivar BRS 394 tiveram o maior peso médio hectolitro.(AU)

Effect of silicon on aphid populations and wheat yield in Minas Gerais, Brazil / Efeito do silício em populações de afídeos e produtividade de trigo em Minas Gerais, Brasil

The area cultivated with wheat has been increasing in the savannahs of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Aphids are usually one of the main pests of wheat in many regions of the world; however, little is known about the aphid population in this new environment. The southern region of Brazil, the main wheat production area, has had several problems as a result of aphids, but aphid populations and the resulting impact on wheat production have not been investigated in these new crop production areas. Understanding control strategies to manage this insect could be essential for the “Cerrado” wheat that is grown in this area. The application of silicon (Si) has the potential to reduce the population growth of wheat aphids; however no field studies have been reported. Hence, we evaluated the effect of Si fertilization via soil application on the aphid populations and species composition and on yield components of wheat in three locations in Minas Gerais; the experiment was repeated simultaneously in Uberlândia, at the experimental areas of UFU and IFTM, and in Montes Claros, at the experimental area of UFMG, using the cultivars BRS 264 and BRS 394. The aphids first appeared just before wheat earing; they were then sampled six times over the course of the study, seven days apart, starting from 45 days after sowing. The aphid species Sitobion avenae (Fabricius), Schizaphis...

A área cultivada com trigo tem aumentado no cerrado presente no estado de Minas Gerais. Afídeos são frequentemente a principal praga dessa cultura em várias regiões do mundo porém, pouco se sabe a respeito de população de afídeos nesse novo ambiente. A região sul do Brasil, principal produtora de trigo, relatou vários problemas resultantes da presença de afídeos, mas as populações de pulgões e os seus impactos na produção do trigo ainda não foram investigados nesta nova área de produção. Portanto, é necessário conhecer a interação sobre pragas, culturas, e paisagens. Entender estratégias de controle para gerenciar esse inseto pode ser essencial para o trigo “Cerrado”. A aplicação de silício (Si) tem o potencial de reduzir o crescimento populacional de pulgões do trigo, porém não há relatos de estudos de campo. Nós avaliamos os efeitos da aplicação via solo de Si sobre populações de afídeos e sobre a composição de espécies, além de componentes de produtividade em três localidades em Minas Gerais. O experimento foi repetido simultaneamente em Uberlândia, nas áreas experimentais da UFU e do IFTM, e em Montes Claros, na área experimental da UFMG, utilizando as cultivares BRS 264 e BRS 394. Os primeiros pulgões ocorreram antes da formação da espiga, e os mesmos foram amostrados seis vezes ao longo do estudo, com sete dias de intervalo, iniciando 45 dias após a semeadura. As espécies de afídeo Sitobion avenae (Fabricius), Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) e Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) foram observadas nos três locais e S. avenae foi a espécie dominante em todos os locais. A área experimental da UFU apresentou o maior número de pulgões de S. avenae por perfilho para as duas cultivares, enquanto a UFMG apresentou as menores populações. As populações de afídeos e os aspectos de produção do trigo não foram afetados pela fertilização de Si no solo. Não houve diferenças de produtividade para a localização ou cultivares, mas a área de UFU e a cultivar BRS 394 tiveram o maior peso médio hectolitro.

Low bacterial community diversity in two introduced aphid pests revealed with 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing.

Bacterial endosymbionts that produce important phenotypic effects on their hosts are common among plant sap-sucking insects. Aphids have become a model system of insect-symbiont interactions. However, endosymbiont research has focused on a few aphid species, making it necessary to make greater efforts to other aphid species through different regions, in order to have a better understanding of the role of endosymbionts in aphids as a group. Aphid endosymbionts have frequently been studied by PCR-based techniques, using species-specific primers, nevertheless this approach may omit other non-target bacteria cohabiting a particular host species. Advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies are complementing our knowledge of microbial communities by allowing us the study of whole microbiome of different organisms. We used a 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing approach to study the microbiome of aphids in order to describe the bacterial community diversity in introduced populations of the cereal aphids, Sitobion avenae and Rhopalosiphum padi in Chile (South America). An absence of secondary endosymbionts and two common secondary endosymbionts of aphids were found in the aphids R. padi and S. avenae, respectively. Of those endosymbionts, Regiella insecticola was the dominant secondary endosymbiont among the aphid samples. In addition, the presence of a previously unidentified bacterial species closely related to a phytopathogenic Pseudomonad species was detected. We discuss these results in relation to the bacterial endosymbiont diversity found in other regions of the native and introduced range of S. avenae and R. padi. A similar endosymbiont diversity has been reported for both aphid species in their native range. However, variation in the secondary endosymbiont infection could be observed among the introduced and native populations of the aphid S. avenae, indicating that aphid-endosymbiont associations can vary across the geographic range of an aphid species. In addition, we discuss the potential role of aphids as vectors and/or alternative hosts of phytopathogenic bacteria.

Evidence of plastic probing behavior in a 'superclone' of the grain aphid Sitobion avenae.

Asexual reproduction is very common in invasive insect pest. In the recent years, increasing evidences have shown that some invasive asexual lineages display an outstanding capacity to predominate in space and persist on time (superclones). However, little is known about the host-use behavior of these superclones. The English grain aphid Sitobion avenae (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is one of the major pests of cereals worldwide. Chilean populations of the grain aphid are characterized by a high degree of heterozygosity and low genotypic variability across regions and years, with only four predominant superclone genotypes representing nearly 90% of populations. In this study, (1) the reproductive performance and (2) the probing behavior followed a host shift of one superclone and one non-superclone of S. avenae, were compared. The host plant in the superclone did not affect the reproductive performance, while in the non-superclone was lower on highly defended wheat seedling. The experimental switching of the host plants from barley (without chemical defenses) to two wheat species with low and high levels of chemical defenses, revealed that superclone exhibited a flexible probing activities related to access of sieve elements, while the non-superclone exhibited rigid responses. These findings are consistent with the pattern of occurrence of these genotypes in the field on cereals with different plant defenses (e.g. benzoxazinoids). These responses are discussed on the view of developing new strategies for the management in invasive populations of aphid pest species.

Transgenic plants expressing ω-ACTX-Hv1a and snowdrop lectin (GNA) fusion protein show enhanced resistance to aphids.

Recombinant fusion proteins containing arthropod toxins have been developed as a new class of biopesticides. The recombinant fusion protein Hv1a/GNA, containing the spider venom toxin ω-ACTX-Hv1a linked to snowdrop lectin (GNA) was shown to reduce survival of the peach-potato aphid Myzus persicae when delivered in artificial diet, with survival <10% after 8 days exposure to fusion protein at 1 mg/ml. Although the fusion protein was rapidly degraded by proteases in the insect, Hv1a/GNA oral toxicity to M. persicae was significantly greater than GNA alone. A construct encoding the fusion protein, including the GNA leader sequence, under control of the constitutive CaMV 35S promoter was transformed into Arabidopsis; the resulting plants contained intact fusion protein in leaf tissues at an estimated level of 25.6 ± 4.1 ng/mg FW. Transgenic Arabidopsis expressing Hv1a/GNA induced up to 40% mortality of M. persicae after 7 days exposure in detached leaf bioassays, demonstrating that transgenic plants can deliver fusion proteins to aphids. Grain aphids (Sitobion avenae) were more susceptible than M. persicae to the Hv1a/GNA fusion protein in artificial diet bioassays (LC50 = 0.73 mg/ml after 2 days against LC50 = 1.81 mg/ml for M. persicae), as they were not able to hydrolyze the fusion protein as readily as M. persicae. Expression of this fusion protein in suitable host plants for the grain aphid is likely to confer higher levels of resistance than that shown with the M. persicae/Arabidopsis model system.