Sweetpotato whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci Genn. (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), are major agricultural pests that may significantly reduce tomato yields, particularly in Solanum lycopersicum cultivars with limited natural resistance. This study investigates whitefly host plant resistance mechanisms in accessions of wild tomato species that have high glandular trichome densities and distinctive sesquiterpene production. Through a field experiment with a complete randomized block design, we evaluated a natural B. tabaci population dynamic, leaf trichome density, and terpene profiles across selected wild accessions of Solanum habrochaites (G29258, PI126449, PI127826, PI134418, PI209978), Solanum galapagense (LA1401), and Solanum chilense (LA1932), as well as cultivars of S. lycopersicum (LA3475, Cherry Bomb, Apple Yellow, Patsy, and Mountain Man). These wild accessions exhibited significantly lower whitefly densities of nymphs that were closely associated with high glandular trichome presence and increased levels of the sesquiterpenes, including terpinolene, α-zingiberene, 9-hydroxy-10,11-epoxy-zingiberene, and 9-hydroxy-zingiberene, which are known for their natural repellent properties. Multivariate analyses revealed an apparent clustering of terpene-rich wild accessions with enhanced whitefly resistance. These results emphasize the critical role of glandular trichomes and their secreted terpenes in natural pest resistance, distinguishing wild accessions from cultivars. This study highlights the breeding potential of wild tomato accessions for developing pest-resistant cultivars and advancing sustainable pest management in tomato cultivation.
Rutz et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
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