Identification and Characterization of Hibiscus mutabilis Varieties Resistant to Bemisia tabaci and Their Resistance Mechanisms

• Published in: Insects (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 15; no. 6; p. 454
• Main Authors: Wei, Juan, Liu, Xiaoli, Li, Chan, Yang, Yuanzhao, Song, Cancan, Chen, Yihao, Ciren, Qiongda, Jiang, Chunxian, Li, Qing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 14.06.2024; MDPI
• Subjects: Alcohols; Aleyrodidae; Alkanes; Animal reproduction; Behavior; Bemisia tabaci; Biosynthesis; Botanical gardens; Breeding; Cultivars; Cultural heritage; Diseases and pests; Economic impact; Environmental aspects; Gas chromatography; herbivore-induced plant volatiles; Hibiscus; Hibiscus mutabilis; High resistance; Humidity; Identification and classification; Insects; Leaves; Mass spectrometry; Mass spectroscopy; metabolic pathway; metabolite; Metabolites; Metabolomics; Mitochondrial DNA; Organic compounds; Pest resistance; Physiological aspects; Physiology; Plant immunology; Plant resistance; resistance screening; Terpenes; VOCs; Volatile compounds; Volatile organic compounds; China; metabolic pathway; metabolite; herbivore-induced plant volatiles; resistance screening
• ISSN: 2075-4450; 2075-4450
• DOI: 10.3390/insects15060454

, the city flower of Chengdu, is culturally significant and has nutritional and medicinal benefits. However, frequent infestations of have caused economic losses. This study aimed to identify insect-resistant varieties. Over two years, varieties like Jinqiusong, Zuiyun, and Zuifurong showed moderate to high resistance based on reproductive indices. Assessments of antixenosis and developmental impacts revealed that adult exhibited low selectivity toward these resistant varieties, indicating a strong repellent effect. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis identified volatile organic compounds, such as alcohols, alkanes, and terpenes. Notably, 2-ethylhexanol and 6-methylheptanol exhibited repellent properties. Using nontargeted metabolomics, this study compared the metabolite profiles of the insect-resistant variety Jinqiusong (JQS), moderately resistant Bairihuacai (BRHC), and highly susceptible Chongbanbai (CBB) post infestation. Fifteen key metabolites were linked to resistance, emphasizing the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway as crucial in defense. These findings offer a theoretical foundation for breeding insect-resistant varieties and developing eco-friendly strategies against infestations.