Use of Micro-Tom cultivar in a Bemisia tabaci biotype B interaction study

Abstract

Tomatoes of the Micro-Tom cultivar, Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanaceae), are small, have a short life cycle, high-density growth, high-efficiency protocols for genetic transformation, and hormonal and morphological mutants. These characteristics make this cultivar a good candidate as a helpful tool in resistance studies against the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius 1889) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). The insect behavior in the Micro-Tom cultivar was observed through free-choice and no-choice oviposition preference tests and life cycle in lab conditions, having as reference the Santa Clara cultivar. In these tests, behavioral and biological insect parameters were obtained and the purpose was used to assess the trichome absence effect on oviposition with the hairless mutant. In the studies for oviposition preference, no difference was observed among the three material obtained. A nymphal stage prolongation and a low nymph viability with an adult longevity reduction were observed in relation to the Santa Clara in the Micro-Tom cultivar and hairless mutant. The Micro-Tom cultivar and hairless mutant do not present antixenotic effects to the oviposition. Mutation present in the hairless mutant does not alter the results observed in the ‘Micro-Tom.’ In general, the absence of the trichome did not reduce the Micro-Tom susceptibility to the oviposition. Antibiosis was observed in the Micro-Tom and it was discussed considering its association with salicylic and jasmonic acids, and brassinosteroid levels. These results show that this cultivar is a pest host and suitable for greenhouse and lab tests, in addition to being able to be used as a susceptibility standard for antixenosis.