Nitrogen‐mediated volatilisation of defensive metabolites in tomato confers resistance to herbivores

• DOI: 10.1111/pce.14945
• Publication Date: 2024-05-13T09:39:59Z
• Authors: Zhi‐Xing Li; Dan‐Xia Wang; Wen‐Xuan Shi; Bo‐Yang Weng; Zhi Zhang; Shi‐Hao Su; Yu‐Fei Sun; Jin‐Fang Tan; Shi Xiao; Ruo‐Han Xie
• Keywords: Spodoptera litura; Green leaf volatiles

Abstract Plants synthesise a vast array of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which serve as chemical defence and communication agents in their interactions with insect herbivores. Although nitrogen (N) is critical resource the production plant metabolites, its regulatory effects on defensive VOCs remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated effect N content tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) tobacco cutworm Spodoptera litura ), notorious agricultural pest, using biochemical molecular experiments combination behavioural performance analyses. We observed that leaves different contents, S. showed distinct feeding preference growth developmental performance. Particularly, metabolomics profiling revealed limited availability conferred resistance upon plants to likely associated biosynthesis emission metabolite α‐humulene repellent. Moreover, exogenous application elicited significant repellent response against Thus, our findings unravel key factors involved N‐mediated herbivores pave way for innovation management improve responses facilitate pest control strategies within agroecosystems.