The Feeding of Empoasca fabae (Harris) on Broad Bean Callus in Tissue Culture

Abstract

AbstractFeeding of the potato leaf hopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris), on broad bean caused injury manifested at the cellular level by cell hypertrophy. The action of insect saliva was studied under closely controlled conditions by using cultures of broad bean tissue. The initial feeding experiments are reported and a description is given of the nature of feeding sheaths in tissue culture.Examination of tissue cultures of broad bean fed upon by the potato leaf-hopper suggested that the nature of the sheath was similar to that produced in organized bean tissue. The sheaths could be recognized by the same criteria–the presence of collar-like deposits on the surface of the tissues, the filiform nature or the sheath, the characteristic red staining of the sheath material and the occurrence of enlarged and empty cells adjacent to the sheath. However, feeding in tissue differed in having no specific direction, and in the presence of pools of secretion sometimes found at the base of the sheaths.