The effects of a plant defence priming compound, β-aminobutyric acid, on multitrophic interactions with an insect herbivore and a hymenopterous parasitoid

Abstract

Biocontrol of aphids by natural enemies is utilized in many organic and integrated pest management schemes. b-aminobutyric acid (BABA), a non-protein amino acid, is a plant defence primer that suppresses growth of some insect herbivores when applied as a root drench. This investigation examined how applying BABA to host plants via the roots may impact on a parasitoid wasp of aphids. Female Aphidius ervi (Haliday) did not discriminate against pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris)) reared on BABA-treated beans (Vicia faba L.) or show any modified responses to volatiles released from BABA-treated plants. BABA reduced the size of emerging wasps, primarily by inhibiting the growth of the host aphid. Metabolomic analysis revealed BABA in both aphids and emergent wasps indicating some potential for direct physiological inhibition to have occurred. Survival of the parasitoids was only reduced at doses of BABA likely to produce phytotoxic effects in many plant species, thus there may be potential to incorporate plant defence primers like BABA into integrated pest management practices. However, the precise mechanisms of BABA-inhibition of insects still require elucidation.

Enhancing Plant Resistance at the Seed Stage: Low Concentrations of Methyl Jasmonate Reduce the Performance of the Leaf Miner Tuta absoluta but do not Alter the Behavior of its Predator Chrysoperla externa

“…A good number of studies have addressed the effects of elicitor treatments at the seed stage to improve pathogen resistance, but only few have explored long lasting induced resistance against herbivores (Worrall et al 2012). Seed treatments may offer advantages over foliar applications (Thaler 1999) or root drenches (Hodge et al 2011) as they can be more cost-effective and reduce the negative consequences associated with pesticide use. Here, we addressed whether treating tomato seeds with MeJA affects the performance of T. absoluta, one of the major pests of tomato in South America, and whether the treatment can affect the preference of one of its main predators C. externa in this region.…”

“…Reduced performance of the herbivore may directly affect the performance of natural enemies due to decreased food quality. Treating plants of Vicia faba with a soil drench of β-amino butyric acid adversely affected the size of the endoparasitoid Aphidius ervi that developed in aphids fed treated plants (Hodge et al 2011). Nevertheless, Hodge et al (2011) suggest that predatory arthropods such as chrysopids may not be affected, as they may be able to compensate for lower food quality by increasing food consumption.…”

“…It is possible that the compounds that differed between treatments were relevant for the predator. Additionally, no effect on behavior was observed for a parasitoid wasp in olfactometer tests using plants treated (through soil drenches) with β-amino butyric acid (Hodge et al 2011). Smart et al (2013) found that the treatment of tomato seeds with a higher dosage of JA resulted in the emissions of volatiles that attract predatory mites in the absence of herbivory.…”

DL-β-Aminobutyric Acid-Induced Resistance in Soybean against Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

“…tomato in Arabidopsis thaliana L. [15], Meloidogyne javanica in Cucumis sativus L. [16], Myzus persicae in Sinapsis alba L. [17], and Acyrthosiphon pisum in Vicia faba L. var. minor [18]. However, the function of BABA in soybean resistance against SA is largely unknown.…”

Peran Tumbuhan Berbunga Sebagai Media Konservasi Artropoda Musuh Alami (The Role of Flowering Plants in Conserving Arthropod Natural Enemies)

“…Namun spesies yang secara konsisten hadir setiap hari hanya satu, yakni Brachymeria latus (Sahari, 2012). Secara lebih spesifik, Hodge et al (2011) menunjukkan bahwa ketertarikan parasitoid hymenoptera terhadap senyawa pertahanan tanaman β-amino asam butirat sama kuat dengan ketertarikan herbivoranya.…”