Phytoparasitica (2021) 49, 195-205

J. Durán Prieto, O. Alomar, N. Agustí, D. Battaglia, P. Fanti, V. Trotta and C. Castañé (2021)
Does the plant defense priming compound β-aminobutyric acid affect the performance of Macrolophus pygmaeus when used to control Bemisia tabaci in tomato?
Phytoparasitica 49 (2), 195-205
Abstract: The β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) is a plant defense priming compound highly effective in controlling important tomato diseases and plant-parasitic nematodes. It has also been shown to induce resistance against phytophagous insects such as aphids. This study examines the effect of BABA on the performance of the tomato pest Bemisia tabaci (MEAM 1, previously known as Biotype B) and its zoophytophagous predator Macrolophus pygmaeus under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Tomato plants were treated with BABA 25 mM applied by soil drenching. The effect of BABA on the fertility and juvenile development of two generations of B. tabaci and M. pygmaeus was evaluated. Our results showed no effect of BABA on the juvenile development or adult fecundity/fertility of both the whitefly and its predator. The non-interference of BABA with M. pygmaeus and B. tabaci assures that the control of the whitefly with this mirid bug will not be affected when this elicitor is applied to the crop. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying BABA-plant-whitefly-predatory myrids interactions.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Juliana Durán Prieto, Oscar Alomar, Nuria Agusti, Donatella Battaglia, Vincenzo Trotta

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
resistance/tolerance/defence of host
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Bemisia tabaci biotype MEAM1	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
Macrolophus pygmaeus (predator)	Bemisia tabaci biotype MEAM1	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)