Induced resistance by jasmonic and abscisic acids and Nesidiocoris tenuis feeding on Solanum lycopersicum against Trialeurodes vaporariorum

Abstract

In the present study, resistance to Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) was induced in tomato plants using foliar and root application of jasmonic acid (JA) and abscisic acid (ABA) alone or in combination with infection with Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter). This induced resistance significantly prolonged development and reduced the survival of immature stages of T. vaporariorum, and reduced the longevity and fecundity of adults. Treating plants with both hormones (JA or ABA) and N. tenuis resulted in greater magnitude in the delay of growth and development in comparison to single treatments. This reduction in T. vaporariorum performance is due to enhanced activity of plant enzymes and increased phenolic content following treatment. Our results show that JA, ABA as well as prior mirid phytophagy induce systemic defenses in tomato plants that have a negative effect on the performance of T. vaporariorum. Taken together, our findings suggest that these physiological changes underlie the induction of resistance to whitefly in tomato plants.