Enzyme regulation patterns in fungal inoculated wheat may reflect resistance and tolerance towards an insect herbivore

Shumaila Rasool, Birgit Jensen, Thomas G. Roitsch, Nicolai V. Meyling* (Corresponding author)

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal/periodicalArticleScientificpeer-review

Abstract

Seed inoculation with entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) causes plant-mediated effects against arthropod herbivores, but the responses vary among EPF isolates. We used a wheat model system with three isolates representing Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium spp. causing either negative or positive effects against the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi. Activities of six carbohydrate enzymes increased in plants showing biomass build-up after EPF inoculations. However, only aldolase activity showed positive correlation with R. padi numbers. Plants inoculated with M. robertsii hosted fewest aphids and showed increased activity of superoxide dismutase, implying a defense strategy of resistance towards herbivores. In M. brunneum-inoculated plants, hosting most R. padi, activities of catalase and glutathione reductase were increased suggesting enhanced detoxification responses towards aphids. However, M. brunneum simultaneously increased plant growth indicating that this isolate may cause the plant to tolerate herbivory. EPF seed inoculants may therefore mediate either tolerance or resistance towards biotic stress in plants in an isolate-dependent manner.

Original languageEnglish
Article number154298
JournalJournal of Plant Physiology
Volume300
Early online date25 Jun 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2024

Keywords

  • Beneficial fungi
  • Compensatory growth
  • Endophyte
  • Plant defense mechanisms
  • Plant-microbe-insect interactions

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