Accumulation of amino acids and phenolic compounds in biochemical plant responses to feeding of two different herbivorous arthropod pests

Abstract

The study aimed at comparing the changes in the content of free amino acids, phenolic compounds and the activity of PAL and TAL caused by two piercingsucking arthropods: the grape mealybug (Pseudococcus maritimus Ehrh.) and the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) in the leaves of orchid and strawberry, respectively. The obtained results show that the amino acid content and the ratio of amino acids to phenolic compounds increased in both plant species infested by the mealybug and the mite. However, such response was weakly dependent on changes in activity of the analysed enzymes. The pest feeding affected accumulation of the phenolic compounds, since the induction of the PAL activity in mealybug-infested orchid leaves during the first 5 h of the experiment preceded the increase in phenolic compounds during the first week of insect feeding. Instead, the increased activity of TAL was accompanied by elevated levels of phenolic compounds in the leaves of strawberry infested by mites. Mechanisms of biochemical plant responses induced by infestation of the studied herbivorous arthropods are discussed.

The Influence of Lead on Generation of Signalling Molecules and Accumulation of Flavonoids in Pea Seedlings in Response to Pea Aphid Infestation

“…Significantly enhanced production of phytoalexins was also observed in response to the elicitation of signalling molecules such as SA, methyl jasmonate and methyl-β-cyclodextrins in plants [ 10 ]. The induction of phytoalexin biosynthesis was demonstrated in many plant species in response to insects [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Dual-choice tests involving varied phytoalexin contents carried out by Hart [ 21 ] revealed that an isoflavonoid phytoalexin(s) had feeding-deterrent properties towards insects.…”

Evaluation of Rice Landraces for Brown Planthopper Resistance Based on Phenotypic Reactions and Biochemical Attributes

“…The TFA also played a significant role in BPH infestation on rice where most of the resistant landraces, including Ptb33 registered lower TFA content. This might be attributable that resistant cultivars against sap suckers usually possess a lower quantity of TFA by limiting the nutritive value of plant tissues for the herbivores Golan et al (2017). Biplot of PCA suggests that TFA, RS and N content were in a close association in the healthy rice plants, while the distance between the former and two later was largest after BPH feeding.…”

The role of iron (Fe) in the population dynamics of pistachio psyllid, Agonoscena pistaciae (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) in Pistacia orchards

“…There is good evidence that the amount of amino acid and soluble nitrogen in plants are important in determining the growth and reproduction of sap sucking insects (Mengel & Kirkby, 1982;Jansson & Smilowitz, 1986;Cole, 1997;Altieri & Nicolls, 2003;Chau et al, 2005;Golan et al, 2017).…”

“…There are a number of studies that indicate changes in the amount of N and K in plants can affect the population ecology of aphids and other sap-feeding insects (van Emden, 1966;Perrenoud, 1990;Waring & Cobb, 1992;Cisneros & Godfrey, 2001;Awmack & Leather, 2002;Boyer et al, 2003;Gratton & Denno, 2003;Golan et al, 2017).…”

“…Application of a nitrogen fertilizer can increase the nitrate and soluble amino acid content of plants. Amino acids are important in the growth and reproduction of aphids and other sap sucking insects (Mengel & Kirkby, 1982;Jansson & Smilowitz, 1986;Golan et al, 2017).…”