Host: The Japanese Society of Plant Physiologists
Pages 0087
In response to herbivory, plants emit specific blends of volatiles that attract carnivorous natural enemies of herbivores. These volatiles are called herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs). We hypothesized that microorganisms in two-spotted spider mites were involved in the induction of specific blend of HIPVs since accumulation of salicylic acid (SA) and expression of SA-inducible genes were observed in lima bean plants infested by the spider mites. To test this hypothesis, we prepared free spider mites free of microorganisms to compare the responses of lima bean plants to damage caused by either germ-free spider mites or normal ones. Amounts of HIPVs and levels of SA were higher in lima bean plants damaged by the germ-free mites. Expression of SA-inducible genes was also enhanced in plants damaged by germ-free mites. These results suggest that microorganisms are involved in the induction of specific blend of HIPV in lima bean leaves infested by spider mites.
