Tomato Cultivars Resistant or Susceptible to Spider Mites Differ in Their Biosynthesis and Metabolic Profile of the Monoterpenoid Pathway

• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.630155
• Publication Date: 2021-02-26T06:25:20Z
• Authors: Nati Weinblum; Alon Cna'ani; Beery Yaakov; Adi Sadeh; Lior Avraham; Itai Opatovsky; Vered Tzin
• Keywords: Jasmonic acid; Phenylpropanoid

The two-spotted spider mite (TSSM; Tetranychus urticae) is a ubiquitous polyphagous arthropod pest that has major economic impact on the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) industry. Tomato plants have evolved broad defense mechanisms regulated by expression of genes, phytohormones, and secondary metabolites present constitutively and/or induced upon infestation. Although been studied for more than three decades, only few studies compared domesticated cultivars' natural resistance at molecular level. main goal our research was to reveal differences between two cultivars with similar physical (trichome morphology density) agronomic traits (fruit size, shape, color, cluster architecture), but contrasting TSSM susceptibility. A net house experiment indicated mite-resistance difference cultivars, climate-controlled performance oviposition bioassay supported these findings. transcriptome analysis after 3 days infestation, revealed changes in genes associated primary metabolism, including salicylic acid volatile biosynthesis (volatile benzenoid ester monoterpenes). Terpene synthase TPS5, TPS7, TPS19/20, encoding enzymes synthesize monoterpenes linalool, β-myrcene, limonene, β-phellandrene were highly expressed resistant cultivar. profile infestation 1, 3, 5, 7 days, substantial monoterpenoid phenylpropanoid volatiles, results consistent transcriptomic data. Comparing metabolic occurred each cultivar mite-infestation are differ (constitutive levels), while minor attack. To test effect variations mites, we subjected both its corresponding predator, Phytoseiulus persimilis, an olfactory choice bioassay. predator mites significantly attracted pre-infested not susceptible cultivar, itself showed no preference. Overall, findings contribution constitutive inducible levels volatiles performance. This study highlights monoterpenoids' function plant pests may inform development new cultivars.