Resistance Mechanisms Against Arthropod Herbivores in Cotton and Their Interactions with Natural Enemies

• Published in: Critical reviews in plant sciences Vol. 32; no. 6; pp. 458 - 482
• Main Authors: Hagenbucher, S, Olson, D. M, Ruberson, J. R, Wäckers, F. L, Romeis, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Taylor & Francis Group 02.11.2013; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Arthropods; Biological and medical sciences; Bt-cotton; Cotton; environmental factors; Fibers; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetic engineering; Gossypium; gossypol; herbivores; host plant resistance; Lepidoptera; Metabolites; Morphology; natural enemies; nectaries; optimal defense theory; Parasites; pest control; Pests; Plant biology; plant defense; Plant resistance; Populations; Precursors; resistance mechanisms; secondary metabolites; terpenoids; trichomes; Malvaceae; Herbivorous; Theory; Bacillus thuringiensis; Gossypium; Organism defense; Review; Bacillaceae; Natural; Fiber crop; Gossypol; Mechanism; optimal defense theory; host plant resistance; Bacillales; Dicotyledones; Host plant; Angiospermae; Bacteria; Transgenic plant; Plant sciences; Bt-cotton; Interaction; Resistance; plant defense; Spermatophyta
• ISSN: 1549-7836; 0735-2689; 1549-7836
• DOI: 10.1080/07352689.2013.809293

Cotton plants (genus Gossypium) are grown on more than 30 million hectares worldwide and are a major source of fiber. The plants possess a wide range of direct and indirect resistance mechanisms against herbivorous arthropods. Direct resistance mechanisms include morphological traits such as trichomes and a range of secondary metabolites. The best known insecticidal compounds are the terpenoid gossypol and its precursors and related compounds. Indirect resistance mechanisms include herbivore-induced volatiles and extrafloral nectaries that allow plants to attract and sustain natural enemy populations. We discuss these resistance traits of cotton, their induction by herbivores, and their impact on herbivores and natural enemies. In addition, we discuss the use of genetically engineered cotton plants to control pest Lepidoptera and the influence of environmental factors on the resistance traits.