Resistance factors in pepper inhibit larval development of thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis)

Abstract

The western flower thrips [Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)] is a major pest in pepper cultivation. Therefore, host plant resistance to thrips is a desirable trait. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of resistance on the development of thrips and to identify metabolite compounds related to the resistance. Three highly resistant, three medium resistant, and three susceptible pepper accessions were used in this study. Adult and pre‐adult survival, developmental time, and oviposition rate were assessed. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry was used to identify compounds that correlate with the level of resistance to thrips. Our results show that resistance of pepper accessions has a significant effect on oviposition rate and larval mortality. Seven compounds were identified that correlate with resistance to thrips and six compounds were identified that correlate with susceptibility to thrips. Some of these compounds, such as tocopherols, were previously shown to have an effect on insects in general. Also, some specific secondary metabolites (alkanes) seem to be more abundant in susceptible accessions and were induced by thrips infestation.

Second Generation Peanut Genotypes Resistant to Thrips-Transmitted Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus Exhibit Tolerance Rather Than True Resistance and Differentially Affect Thrips Fitness

“…The short developmental period on Tifguard could be a strategy used by thrips to overcome unfavorable traits of Tifguard and remains to be investigated in detail. Variation in developmental time because of plant resistance was observed in F. occidentalis as well as in other insects (Leather 1998, Maris et al 2004b, Maharijaya et al 2012. Head capsule measurements of thrips reared on various genotypes did not reveal any differences reiterating that the genotypes had no effect on thrips size.…”

Host plant resistance towards the cabbage whitefly in Brassica oleracea and its wild relatives

“…Wild relatives may be a valuable source for insect resistance, when resistance within the crop species is absent (Firdaus et al 2013;Maharijaya et al 2012;Lucatti et al 2013). Resistant accessions were identified in the wild species B. villosa, B. incana and B. montana.…”

Multiple feedbacks between chloroplast and whole plant in the context of plant adaptation and acclimation to the environment

“…It is feasible that trade-offs may exist not only between plant growth versus defence and thus plant abiotic and biotic stress resistance, but also between plant resistance to pests versus pathogens, and/or between additional specific features. For example, greater vitamin E content of certain pepper varieties was associated with inhibition of the development of an insect pest of pepper [78]-whereas decreased vitamin E content of Arabidopsis mutants was associated with enhanced putative pathogen defence via phloem occlusion (table 1). Future research should examine combinations of individual plant species and specific pests or pathogens in specific abiotic environments.…”