Characterization of barley host and non-host interactions with aphids
C. ESCUDERO-MARTINEZ (1), J. Morris (2), P. Hedley (3) (1) James Hutton Institute and Dundee University, United Kingdom; (2) James Hutton Institute Cell and Molecular Sciences, United Kingdom; (3) James Hutton Institute, Cell and Molecular Sciences, United Kingdom

Aphids are phloem-feeding insects that cause yield loss on a wide range of crops, including important cereals such as barley. Most aphid species are limited to one or few host species; while some are able to reproduce on multiple plant species. Interestingly, aphid probing behaviour can be observed on both host and non-host species where saliva, containing effectors, is secreted. We hypothesize that different molecular events take place during both host and non-host interactions, and that these events may impact host range. We aimed to investigate barley host and non-host transcriptional responses. First, we determined colonization efficiency, probing behaviour and elicitation of barley defences for three aphid species. This defined three different types of interactions, namely host, non-host and poor-host. Analyses of barley transcriptional changes showed a more pronounced response during the poor-host versus host interaction, and few genes were affected by the non-host interaction. We identified gene sets specifically up-regulated during the poor-host interaction. These include several members of the thionin antimicrobial peptide family, genes related to processes of energy production (malate dehydrogenases, hydrolases, invertases) and water stress tolerance (LEA family). The next step will be to further implicate these genes in aphid host range using functional assays. Our work will thereby provide novel insights into host and non-host defences in a monocot crop to aphids.

Abstract Number: P17-519
Session Type: Poster