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Zoophytophagous predator‐induced defences restrict accumulation of the tomato spotted wilt virus
Author(s) -
Bouagga Sarra,
Urbaneja Alberto,
Depalo Laura,
Rubio Luís,
PérezHedo Meritxell
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.5547
Subject(s) - biology , predation , predator , pepper , aphid , horticulture , botany , ecology
BACKGROUND The use of zoophytophagous predators in protected crops has been widely adopted to manage pests in southern Europe. We hypothesized that plant defence responses would be induced by zoophytophagous predators and this induction could affect plant virus occurrence; the phytophagy of these predators induces plant defences similarly to that of viral infection. Therefore, we evaluated whether or not mirid predator‐activated plant defences limited the accumulation of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) in mechanically infected sweet pepper. RESULTS Our results revealed TSWV accumulation in mirid‐punctured plants to be significantly lower than in intact plants. This is most likely associated with the upregulation of the jasmonate acid pathway triggered by mirid phytophagy. CONCLUSION Activation of induced defences by mirid predators has been demonstrated for the first time to limit the accumulation of TSWV in sweet pepper. This novel approach can offer new control strategies for the management of plant diseases. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry