Physiological and oxidative stress response of carrot (Daucus carota L.) to jumping plant-louse Bactericera trigonica Hodkinson (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) infestation

Marija Đurić; Slađana Jevremović; Milana Trifunović-Momčilov; Snežana Milošević; Angelina Subotić; Dušanka Jerinić-Prodanović

doi:10.1186/s12870-024-04946-4

Physiological and oxidative stress response of carrot (Daucus carota L.) to jumping plant-louse Bactericera trigonica Hodkinson (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) infestation

BMC Plant Biol. 2024 Apr 4;24(1):243. doi: 10.1186/s12870-024-04946-4.

Authors

Marija Đurić¹, Slađana Jevremović², Milana Trifunović-Momčilov¹, Snežana Milošević¹, Angelina Subotić¹, Dušanka Jerinić-Prodanović³

Affiliations

¹ Department for Plant Physiology at the Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", - National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, Belgrade, 11108, Serbia.
² Department for Plant Physiology at the Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", - National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, Belgrade, 11108, Serbia. sladja@ibiss.bg.ac.rs.
³ Department of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Nemanjina 6, Belgrade, 11080, Serbia.

Abstract

Background: Carrot is an important vegetable crop grown worldwide. The major economic problem in carrot cultivation is yellow disease caused by Bactericera trigonica, which induces biotic stress and has the greatest impact on crop productivity. Comprehensive studies on the mechanism of carrot defense response to biotic stress caused by B. trigonica infestation have yet to be conducted.

Methods: The changes in photosynthetic pigments, proline, TPC, H₂O₂ and MDA content, DPPH radical scavenging ability, and antioxidant enzyme activity of SOD, CAT, and POX in carrot leaves in response to insect sex (female and male), rapid response (during the first six hours), and long-term response to B. trigonica infestation were evaluated.

Results: The results of our study strongly suggest that B. trigonica infestation causes significant changes in primary and secondary metabolism and oxidative status of carrot leaves. Photosynthetic pigment content, TPC, and DPPH and CAT activities were significantly reduced in carrot leaves in response to insect infestation. On the other hand, proline, H₂O₂ content, and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and peroxidase were increased in carrot leaves after B. trigonica infestation. The results indicate that B. trigonica attenuates and delays the oxidative stress responses of carrot, allowing long-term feeding without visible changes in the plant. Carrot responded to long-term B. trigonica infestation with an increase in SOD and POX activity, suggesting that these enzymes may play a key role in plant defense mechanisms.

Conclusions: This is the first comprehensive study strongly suggesting that B. trigonica infestation causes significant changes in primary and secondary metabolism and an attenuated ROS defense response in carrot leaves that enables long-term insect feeding. The information provides new insights into the mechanisms of carrot protection against B. trigonica infestation.

Keywords: Bactericera trigonica; Daucus carota; Antioxidant defense system; Biotic stress.

MeSH terms

Animals
Antioxidants / metabolism
Aphids* / physiology
Daucus carota* / metabolism
Hemiptera*
Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism
Oxidative Stress
Phthiraptera* / metabolism
Proline / metabolism
Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism

Substances

Antioxidants
Hydrogen Peroxide
Superoxide Dismutase
Proline