Abstract
The development of pesticide resistance in insects and recent bans on pesticides call for the identification of natural sources of
resistance in crops. Here, we used natural variation in pepper (Capsicum spp.) resistance combined with an untargeted metabolomics
approach to detect secondary metabolites related to thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) resistance. Using leaf disc choice
assays, we tested 11 Capsicum accessions of C. annuum and C. chinense in both vegetative and flowering stages for thrips
resistance. Metabolites in the leaves of these 11 accessions were analyzed using LC-MS based untargeted metabolomics. The
choice assays showed significant differences among the accessions in thrips feeding damage. The level of resistance depended on
plant developmental stage. Metabolomics analyses showed differences in metabolomes among the Capsicum species and plant
developmental stages. Moreover, metabolomic profiles of resistant and susceptible accessions differed. Monomer and dimer
acyclic diterpene glycosides (capsianosides) were pinpointed as metabolites that were related to thrips resistance. Sucrose and
malonylated flavone glycosides were related to susceptibility. To our knowledge, this is the first time that dimer capsianosides of
pepper have been linked to insect resistance. Our results show the potential of untargeted metabolomics as a tool for discovering
metabolites that are important in plant – insect interactions.
Keywords Capsianosides . Frankliniella occidentalis . Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry . Insects . Solanaceae . Thrips
resistance in crops. Here, we used natural variation in pepper (Capsicum spp.) resistance combined with an untargeted metabolomics
approach to detect secondary metabolites related to thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) resistance. Using leaf disc choice
assays, we tested 11 Capsicum accessions of C. annuum and C. chinense in both vegetative and flowering stages for thrips
resistance. Metabolites in the leaves of these 11 accessions were analyzed using LC-MS based untargeted metabolomics. The
choice assays showed significant differences among the accessions in thrips feeding damage. The level of resistance depended on
plant developmental stage. Metabolomics analyses showed differences in metabolomes among the Capsicum species and plant
developmental stages. Moreover, metabolomic profiles of resistant and susceptible accessions differed. Monomer and dimer
acyclic diterpene glycosides (capsianosides) were pinpointed as metabolites that were related to thrips resistance. Sucrose and
malonylated flavone glycosides were related to susceptibility. To our knowledge, this is the first time that dimer capsianosides of
pepper have been linked to insect resistance. Our results show the potential of untargeted metabolomics as a tool for discovering
metabolites that are important in plant – insect interactions.
Keywords Capsianosides . Frankliniella occidentalis . Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry . Insects . Solanaceae . Thrips
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 490-501 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Journal of Chemical Ecology |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue number | 5-6 |
| Early online date | 8 Jun 2019 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2019 |
Keywords
- Capsianosides . Frankliniella occidentalis . Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry . Insects . Solanaceae . Thrips