| Title: | Herbivore-specific elicitation of photosynthesis by mirid bug salivary secretions in the wild tobacco Nicotiana attenuata |
| Author(s): | Halitschke R; Hamilton JG; Kessler A; |
| Address: | "Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, E443 Corson Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Ithaca College, 252 CNS, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA" |
| DOI: | 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2011.03701.x |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1469-8137 (Electronic) 0028-646X (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Herbivory is thought to be detrimental to plant fitness and commonly results in a metabolic shift in the plant: photosynthetic processes are typically down-regulated, while resource allocation to defenses is increased in herbivore-attacked plants, resulting in fitness costs of induced plant responses. Wild tobacco, Nicotiana attenuata, attacked by Tupiocoris notatus mirid bugs becomes resistant against more damaging herbivores through mirid-induced direct and indirect defenses. However, mirid-induced resistance and tissue loss do not result in a reduction of plant fitness. These findings suggest induced metabolic responses allowing the plant to compensate for the lost tissue and resources allocated to defenses. While feeding by Manduca sexta larvae results in a strong down-regulation of photosynthesis, we demonstrate a specific induction of elevated photosynthetic activity in N. attenuata leaves by elicitors in mirid salivary secretions. The elevated CO(2) assimilation rate is sufficient to compensate for the loss of photosynthetically active tissue and balances the net photosynthesis of infested leaves. We discuss the observed increase in the plant's primary metabolic activity as a mechanism that allows plants to alleviate negative fitness effects of mirid attack and mediates the vaccination effects that result in a net benefit in environments with multiple herbivores" |
| Keywords: | Animals Chlorophyll/metabolism Down-Regulation Heteroptera/*physiology Larva/physiology Manduca/*physiology Photosynthesis/physiology Photosystem II Protein Complex/physiology Plant Immunity Plant Leaves/immunology/physiology Plant Transpiration Tobacco/g; |
| Notes: | "MedlineHalitschke, Rayko Hamilton, Jason G Kessler, Andre eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2011/03/30 New Phytol. 2011 Jul; 191(2):528-535. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2011.03701.x. Epub 2011 Mar 28" |
