Methyl jasmonate‐induced resistance to Delia platura (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) in Lupinus mutabilis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Andean lupin (Lupinus mutabilis Sweet) is an important leguminous crop from South America with a high protein content. In Ecuador, lupin yields are severely affected by the infestation of Delia platura larvae on germinating seeds. The application of elicitor molecules with activity against herbivorous insects to control D. platura infestation constitutes an unexplored and promising alternative for chemical insecticides. In this study, methyl jasmonate (MeJA), hexanoic acid, menadione sodium bisulfite, and DL-⊎-aminobutyric acid were evaluated for their ability to induce resistance against D. platura in three commercial lupin cultivars.RESULTS: Only seeds pretreated with MeJA significantly impaired insect performance during choice and no-choice assays. Additionally, fitness indicators such as seed germination and growth were not affected by MeJA treatment. To investigate the molecular mechanisms behind the MeJA-mediated resistance, RT-qPCR assays were performed. First, RT-qPCR reference genes were validated, showing that LmUBC was the most stable reference gene. Next, expression analysis over time revealed that MeJA application up-regulated the activity of the jasmonic acid biosynthetic genes LmLOX2 and LmAOS, together with other jasmonate-related defense genes, such as LmTPS1, LmTPS4, LmPI2, LmMBL, LmL/ODC, LmCSD1, and LmPOD.CONCLUSION: This study indicates that MeJA can be used as an environmentally friendly elicitor molecule to protect Andean lupin from D. platura attack without fitness cost. MeJA application induces plant defense responses to insects in Andean lupin that may be modulated by the onset of terpenoid biosynthesis, proteinase inhibitors, lectins, polyamines, and antioxidative enzymes.

Effects of Jasmonic Acid on Stress Response and Quality Formation in Vegetable Crops and Their Underlying Molecular Mechanisms

“…After the MeJA pretreatment of the seeds of Lupinus mutabilis Sweet, only the seeds treated with MeJA showed the ability to damage insects. It was also revealed that the use of MeJA upregulated the activities of the JA biosynthesis genes LmLOX2 and LmAOS , as well as those of jasmonic acid-related defense genes ( LmTPS1 , LmTPS4 , LmPI2 , LmMBL , LmL/ODC , LmCSD1 , and LmPOD ) [ 79 ]. These results suggest that MeJA, as an inducer, may induce the defense mechanism of plants against pathogens and insects by regulating the biosynthesis of terpenoids, protease inhibitors, and antioxidant enzyme activities.…”

Somatic Embryogenesis of Representative Medicinal Trees in South America—Current Status

“…All types of elicitors act as a signal, which is perceived by an elicitor-specific receptor from the cell membrane. After perception is initiated, a transduction cascade occurs, which conducts expression level change of various regulatory transcription factors/genes, resulting in increased synthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites [41,42]. Studies concerning the comparisons of metabolite compositions of both embryo types are scarce.…”

“…Traditionally in South America, many indigenous communities have used medicinal plants as palliative treatment for certain illnesses and all this knowledge has been passed through generations (Table 1) [42]. According to IUCN, after a screening of the literature concerning endemic medicinal trees, 3 of them are endangered, 8 are vulnerable, 10 are not threatened, and 27 are least concerned.…”

The effect of sex ratio and group density on the mating success of two lines of Delia platura (Diptera: Anthomyiidae)

“…The seedcorn maggot, Delia platura (Meigen) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), is currently recognised as an agricultural pest with a near-cosmopolitan range and a high diversity of larval hosts, both living and dead (Griffiths 1993). Being highly polyphagous, the larvae of D. platura will feed on many species of cultivated vegetables and field crops, with infestations that can reach nearly 100% of sampled plants, depending on the crop (Hough-Goldstein and Hess 1984; Griffiths 1993; Howard et al 1994; Soroka and Dosdall 2011; Guerra et al 2017; Erazo-Garcia et al 2021). The species can act as a primary or secondary invader of host plants and can even complete its development in decaying organic matter (Finch 1989).…”