Dynamic Metabolic Responses of Resistant and Susceptible Poplar Clones Induced by Hyphantria cunea Feeding.

Wang, Zheshu; Qu, Liangjian; Fan, Zhibin; Hou, Luxuan; Hu, Jianjun; Wang, Lijuan

Simple Summary: Poplar forests are significantly threatened by Hyphantria cunea in China. Although previous studies have identified variations in resistance among the different poplar clones to this pest, the induced mechanisms behind the resistance are not yet well understood. This research investigated the dynamic changes in the defensive enzymes and metabolic profiles in resistant '2KEN8' and susceptible 'Nankang' with or without feeding by H. cunea. The findings suggested that the resistant poplar clone initiated an earlier and stronger accumulation of defensive enzymes, and metabolites such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and unsaturated fatty acids than the susceptible one after infestation. These changes might contribute to inhibition of larva development in '2KEN8'. The present results are helpful for revealing the mechanisms of poplar resistance to H. cunea and breeding resistant varieties. Poplar trees are significant for both economic and ecological purposes, and the fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea Drury) poses a major threat to their plantation in China. The preliminary resistance assessment in the previous research indicated that there were differences in resistance to the insect among these varieties, with '2KEN8' being more resistant and 'Nankang' being more susceptible. The present study analyzed the dynamic changes in the defensive enzymes and metabolic profiles of '2KEN8' and 'Nankang' at 24 hours post-infestation (hpi), 48 hpi, and 96 hpi. The results demonstrated that at the same time points, compared to susceptible 'Nankang', the leaf consumption by H. cunea in '2KEN8' was smaller, and the larval weight gain was slower, exhibiting clear resistance to the insect. Biochemical analysis revealed that the increased activity of the defensive enzymes in '2KEN8' triggered by the feeding of H. cunea was significantly higher than that of 'Nankang'. Metabolomics analysis indicated that '2KEN8' initiated an earlier and more intense reprogramming of the metabolic profile post-infestation. In the early stages of infestation, the differential metabolites induced in '2KEN8' primarily included phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and unsaturated fatty acids, which are related to the biosynthesis pathways of phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, unsaturated fatty acids, and jasmonates. The present study is helpful for identifying the metabolic biomarkers for inductive resistance to H. cunea and lays a foundation for the further elucidation of the chemical resistance mechanism of poplar trees against this insect.

UNSATURATED fatty acids; PHENYLPROPANOIDS; CHEMICAL resistance; PHENOLS; PLANT clones

Biology (2079-7737), 2024, Vol 13, Issue 9, p723

2079-7737

Academic Journal

10.3390/biology13090723