Bemisia tabaci MED Population Density as Affected by Rootstock-Modified Leaf Anatomy and Amino Acid Profiles in Hydroponically Grown Tomato

Abstract

Bemisia tabaci is one of the most devastating pests in tomato greenhouse production. Insecticide resistance management for B. tabaci requires a novel approach that maximizes non-chemical methods for pest control. The aim of this study was to test the effects of rootstocks on B. tabaci populations in hydroponically grown tomato plants. In order to contribute to the better understanding of the mechanisms defining the attractiveness of plant to the aerial pest, the effects of rootstocks on leaf anatomy and the amino acid composition of phloem sap were assessed. A two-factorial experimental design was adopted using cultivars (rootstock cultivars and Clarabella) grown as either non-grafted or grafted with cultivar Clarabella as a scion. The rootstock cultivars included Arnold, Buffon, Emperador, and Maxifort. A reduction in B. tabaci density was observed using all rootstock cultivars. The number of adult individuals per leaf was 2.7–5.4 times lower on rootstock cultivars than on Clarabella. The number of large nymphs per square centimeter was at least 24% higher on non–grafted Clarabella compared with all other treatments. The leaf lamina thickness and mesophyll thickness were lower in self-grafted Clarabella than in non-grafted or in one grafted on rootstock cultivars; however, the extent of this reduction depended on the rootstock. The leaves with thinner laminae were generally less attractive to B. tabaci. Eighteen amino acids were detected in the exudates of phloem sap. In all treatments, the most abundant amino acid was γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), followed by proline, serine, alanine, and histidine. The scion cultivar Clarabella was the most attractive to B. tabaci and had a higher content of leucine than did rootstock cultivars, and a higher content of lysine compared to Buffon and Maxifort. The features modified by rootstock such are changes in leaf anatomy can affect the attractiveness of plants to B. tabaci. Thus, the grafting of tomato could constitute a valuable tool in an integrated management strategy against this aerial pest.

Modification of the Sensory Profile and Volatile Aroma Compounds of Tomato Fruits by the Scion × Rootstock Interactive Effect

“…The seedlings were grafted on 02 March in experiment 1 and on 03 March in experiment 2, via splice grafting, as described by Lee et al (2010) . The grafted seedlings were cultured until callus formation, and after acclimation, they were transplanted, grown in rockwool cubes, and fertigated (in both experiments), as described by Žanić et al (2018) .…”

The Use of a Tomato Landrace as Rootstock Improves the Response of Commercial Tomato under Water Deficit Conditions

“…Grafting is an ancient technique used for centuries in many crop species. Earlier use was related to clonal purposes [1], and it has recently become a prime tool to mitigate biotic [2][3][4] and abiotic [5][6][7] stresses on the scion, and to increase yield and fruit quality [8]. In particular, grafting has been identified as an effective tool to increase water-use efficiency (WUE) in several crops under non-stress and different drought stress levels [9].…”

The Chemical Landscape of Leaf Surfaces and Its Interaction with the Atmosphere

“…Pictorial representation of angiosperm (A) and gymnosperm (C) leaf sections inspired from photographs of tomato , ( Solanum lycopersum ) and mountain pine ( Pino mugo ) leaves, respectively. Panel A includes a scanning electron microscopy photograph of a tomato leaf with highlighted glandular and nonglandular trichomes (type VI and II, respectively, according to the Luckwill’s classification scheme).…”