Molecular and chemical mechanisms involved in aphid resistance in cultivated tomato

New Phytol. 2010 Sep;187(4):1089-1101. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2010.03314.x. Epub 2010 Jan 7.

Abstract

*An integrated approach has been used to obtain an understanding of the molecular and chemical mechanisms underlying resistance to aphids in cherry-like tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) landraces from the Campania region (southern Italy). The aphid-parasitoid system Macrosiphum euphorbiae-Aphidius ervi was used to describe the levels of resistance against aphids in two tomato accessions (AN5, AN7) exhibiting high yield and quality traits and lacking the tomato Mi gene. *Aphid development and reproduction, flight response by the aphid parasitoid A. ervi, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry headspace analysis of plant volatile organic compounds and transcriptional analysis of aphid responsive genes were performed on selected tomato accessions and on a susceptible commercial variety (M82). *When compared with the cultivated variety, M82, AN5 and AN7 showed a significant reduction of M. euphorbiae fitness, the release of larger amounts of specific volatile organic compounds that are attractive to the aphid parasitoid A. ervi, a constitutively higher level of expression of plant defence genes and differential enhancement of plant indirect resistance induced by aphid feeding. *These results provide new insights on how local selection can offer the possibility of the development of innovative genetic strategies to increase tomato resistance against aphids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aphids*
  • Gene Expression*
  • Genes, Plant*
  • Host-Parasite Interactions / genetics*
  • Plant Diseases*
  • Plant Immunity / genetics*
  • Solanum lycopersicum / chemistry
  • Solanum lycopersicum / genetics*
  • Solanum lycopersicum / metabolism
  • Volatile Organic Compounds / metabolism

Substances

  • Volatile Organic Compounds