Sammanfattning

Somatic embryogenesis (SE), a clonal propagation method utilizing somatic cells, occurs under conditions that activate plant stress adaptation mechanisms such as production of protective secondary metabolites. Surprisingly, possible differences in susceptibility to insect pests between SE-generated and conventionally cultivated plants have not been previously explored. Here, we recorded frequencies and levels of bark-feeding damage by pine weevils (Hylobius abietis) in two large field trials, consisting of emblings (SE-propagated plants) and seedlings from 50 half-sib Norway spruce (Picea abies) families. We found that emblings were less frequently attacked by pine weevils, and when attacked, they were damaged to a lesser extent than seedlings. Moreover, we detected significant additive genetic variation in damage levels received by plants, indicating a heritable component to differences in resistance to insect herbivory among half-sib families. We present first-time evidence that emblings can be more resistant than seedlings to herbivorous insect damage, thus, SE appears to confer a previously unknown plant protection advantage. This finding indicates novel avenues to explore mechanisms underlying plant resistance and new approaches to develop non-toxic measures against insect pests.

Nyckelord

emblings; herbivore damage; genetic variation; Hylobius abietis; Picea abies; plant biotic defense; plant propagation; somatic embryogenesis

Publicerad i

Frontiers in Plant Science
2018, Volym: 9, artikelnummer: 1553
Utgivare: FRONTIERS MEDIA SA

SLU författare

• Puentes, Adriana

  • Institutionen för ekologi, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

• Björklund, Niklas

  • Institutionen för ekologi, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

• Nordlander, Göran

  • Institutionen för ekologi, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

Associerade SLU-program

SLU Nätverk växtskydd


Globala målen

SDG15 Skydda, återställa och främja ett hållbart nyttjande av landbaserade ekosystem, hållbart bruka skogar, bekämpa ökenspridning, hejda och vrida tillbaka markförstöringen samt hejda förlusten av biologisk mångfald


UKÄ forskningsämne

Skogsvetenskap


Publikationens identifierare

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.01553

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/97002