Tomato Aphid (<i>Aphis gossypii</i>) Secreted Saliva Can Enhance Aphid Resistance by Upregulating Signaling Molecules in Tomato (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i>)

This study investigated the impact of <i>Aphis gossypii</i> watery saliva on the induction of tomato (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i>) plant resistance. To examine the role of <i>A. gossypii</i> saliva, we collected watery saliva from <i>A. gossypii</i> af...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Khadija Javed, Yong Wang, Humayun Javed, Chen Wang, Chuang Liu, Yuqian Huang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-08-01
Series:International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/16/12768
Description
Summary:This study investigated the impact of <i>Aphis gossypii</i> watery saliva on the induction of tomato (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i>) plant resistance. To examine the role of <i>A. gossypii</i> saliva, we collected watery saliva from <i>A. gossypii</i> after a 48 h feeding period on an artificial diet. SDS-PAGE resolving gel 12% was used to separate the salivary proteins. Relative expression of gene analysis revealed that the intrusion of <i>A. gossypii</i> saliva dripping onto <i>S. lycopersicum</i> leaves triggered robust defense responses mediated by a signaling molecule, i.e., salicylic acid, while the signaling molecule’s jasmonic acid-dependent defense responses were moderately activated. Aphid saliva infiltrated <i>S. lycopersicum</i> leaves slowed the intrinsic rate of population growth of <i>A. gossypii</i> and significantly reduced the number of nymphs produced daily, compared to untreated leaves. During a choice test with untreated <i>S. lycopersicum</i>, aphids showed a repellent response towards saliva-infiltrated <i>S. lycopersicum</i>. Moreover, the (EPG) electrical penetration graph analysis demonstrated that the eating pattern of <i>A. gossypii</i> compared to untreated <i>S. lycopersicum</i>, that had been exposed to saliva was negatively impacted. These results provide compelling evidence for the involvement of salivary components of <i>A. gossypii</i> in inducing resistance against aphids in <i>S. lycopersicum</i> plants. Furthermore, the study underscores the crucial role of watery saliva in the intricate interactions between aphids and plants. The activation of pathways was also part of the defensive response (jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA) signaling molecules). The findings of this research deliver valuable insights into the potential of watery aphid saliva as a natural defense mechanism against aphid infestations in <i>S. lycopersicum</i> crops.
ISSN:1661-6596
1422-0067