JXB Advance Access originally published online on May 27, 2009
Journal of Experimental Botany 2009 60(11):3269-3277; doi:10.1093/jxb/erp163
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RESEARCH PAPER |
Hypersensitive response to Aphis gossypii Glover in melon genotypes carrying the Vat gene
1Experimental Station La Mayora, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), E-29750 Algarrobo-Costa, Málaga, Spain
2Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Serrano 115, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
* To whom correspondence should be addressed: E-mail: guillamon{at}eelm.csic.es
Aphis gossypii Glover causes direct and indirect damage to Cucumis melo L. crops. To decrease the harmful effects of this pest, one of the most economically and environmentally acceptable options is to use genetically resistant melon varieties. To date, several sources of resistance carrying the Vat gene are used in melon breeding programmes that aim to prevent A. gossypii colonization and the subsequent aphid virus transmission. The results suggest that the resistance conferred by this gene is associated with a microscopic hypersensitive response specific against A. gossypii. Soon after aphid infestation, phenol synthesis, deposits of callose and lignin in the cell walls, damage to the plasmalemma, and a micro-oxidative burst were detected in genotypes carrying the Vat gene. According to electrical penetration graph experiments, this response seems to occur after aphid stylets puncture the plant cells and not during intercellular stylet penetration. This type of plant tissue reaction was not detected in melon plants infested with Bemisia tabaci Gennadius nor Myzus persicae Sulzer.
Key words: Cotton aphid, Cucumis melo L., EPGs, resistance, susceptibility
Received 11 November 2008; Revised 30 March 2009 Accepted 29 April 2009