Herbivore-Induced Defenses in Rice and Their Potential Application in Rice Planthopper Management

Abstract

Upon attacked by insect herbivores, plants can activate a range of defenses that result in direct and/or indirect resistance to subsequent challenge by a herbivore. Significant development in understanding of the physiological and molecular basis of these herbivore-induced plant defense responses has been achieved over the past decade. Our understanding of these defense responses has led to new ideas of herbivore management methods that can be environmental friendly and safer. We studied the responses of rice, one of the most important food crops of the world, to infestation by insect herbivores, including rice planthoppers. In this review, we first briefly summarize the fundamentals and molecular basis of herbivore-induced rice defense responses. We then introduce the methods of planthopper management in rice that could be exploited. These methods include using herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) as attractants of the natural enemies, the application of chemical elicitors, and the genetic modification of crop variety. Finally, some insights are given about the directions of future research and how to tap this opportunity of herbivore-induced plant defense response in rice pest management.