Volatile cis-jasmone affects the tri-trophic interactions among the potato plants, the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae), and the parasitoid (Aphidius gifuensis)

Abstract

New strategies for protecting crops from aphid attacks must be developed. The present study aimed to examine the effect of cis-Jasmone (CJ), an activator of plant defense, on potato plants. Plants were sprayed with an exogenous application of CJ at 12, 24, and 48 h; and the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae Sulzer, and its parasitoid, Aphidius gifuensis, were used to evaluate the tri-trophic interactions of the aphids, parasitoids, and plants. In this work, we examined that the adult M. persicae produced fewer nymphs on CJ-treated plants at 12, 24, and 48 h than on control plants. Furthermore, M. persicae nymphs that fed on CJ-treated plants at 48 h had a lower mean relative growth rate (MRGR). Moreover, the intrinsic rate of population increase (r) was significantly lowered in CJ-treated plants at 12, 24, and 48 h. CJ-treated plants at all time durations showed considerably less settlement of aphid than control plants. In the olfactometer bioassay, the parasitoid exhibited a prolonged duration in the arm treated with volatiles from CJ-treated plants at 12, 24, and 48 h in comparison to the control. Moreover, the salicylic acid and jasmonic acid marker gene expression levels were significantly upregulated by CJ-treatment. Surprisingly, aphids raised on CJ-treated potato plants showed higher transcriptional levels of detoxifying enzymes. The findings of this research will provide new insights into the possible applications of important volatile components like cis-jasmone in integrated pest management systems, in addition to enhancing our comprehension of the ways in which plant volatiles affect the crop community.