| Title: | Application of DL-beta-aminobutyric acid (BABA) as a root drench to legumes inhibits the growth and reproduction of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum (Hemiptera: Aphididae) |
| Author(s): | Hodge S; Thompson GA; Powell G; |
| Address: | "Division of Biology, Imperial College London, Wye Campus, Ashford, Kent, UK. s.hodge@imperial.ac.uk" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 0007-4853 (Print) 0007-4853 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "DL-beta-aminobutyric acid (BABA) is a non-protein amino acid that is an effective inducer of resistance against a variety of plant pathogens. However, examples of BABA-induced resistance against insect herbivores have not been reported. We applied BABA as a soil drench to legumes and monitored its effects on the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris). On tic bean (Vicia faba var. minor), BABA increased aphid mortality, caused a reduction in the mean relative growth rate of individual insects and lessened the intrinsic rate of population increase (rm). BABA also caused significant reductions in the growth rate of A. pisum on pea (Pisum sativa), broad bean (Vicia faba var. major), runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus), red clover (Trifolium pratense) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa). No direct toxic effects of BABA against A. pisum were found, and no phytotoxic effects that may have caused a reduction in aphid performance were detected. Possible mechanisms behind this BABA-induced inhibition of aphid performance are discussed" |
| Keywords: | Aminobutyrates/*pharmacology Animals Aphids/*drug effects/*growth & development/physiology Fabaceae/*drug effects Insecticides/*pharmacology Nymph/drug effects Plant Roots/*drug effects Reproduction/drug effects Soil; |
| Notes: | "MedlineHodge, S Thompson, G A Powell, G eng England 2005/10/04 Bull Entomol Res. 2005 Oct; 95(5):449-55. doi: 10.1079/ber2005375" |
