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Ethylene signaling mediates potyvirus spread by aphid vectors

  • Plant-microbe-animal interactions – original research
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Abstract

Plant pathogens can influence host characteristics such as volatile emissions, nutrient composition or plant color, modulating vector and non-vector insect dynamics in the ecosystem. While previous research has focused on insect attraction and dispersal to infected plants, little is known about mechanisms mediating these interactions. Here, we investigate the role of ethylene in green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) attraction to potyvirus-infected plants. In our experiments, we utilized two different potyviruses, Potato virus Y (PVY) and Turnip mosaic virus, in lab and field experiments. Consistent with previous studies, we show that greater numbers of aphids settle on potyvirus-infected plants in the lab and greater numbers of aphids are found in PVY-infected potato (Solanum tuberosum) fields compared to controls. In laboratory experiments, inhibition of ethylene signaling in plants either chemically or genetically prevented aphids from preferentially settling on potyvirus-infected plants. Virus spread was reduced in lab arenas by over 80% when ethylene signaling was inhibited chemically. Despite this, ethylene inhibition had no significant impact on virus spread in field mesocosms. Our results indicate that induction of ethylene signaling by potyviruses mediates aphid attraction to infected plants and virus spread; however, additional factors may contribute to plant–vector dynamics in complex communities. Specific components of ethylene signaling may be important targets for future management of vector-borne viruses and research on mechanisms mediating plant–vector–virus interactions.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Lee Ann Richmond for valuable advice on ethylene measurements and use of a gas chromatograph. We thank Brian Pellissier for his help with the field trials. This publication was supported by the California Potato Research Advisory Board, an USDA-NIFA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Award, 2013-2013-03265, a National Science Foundation award, PGRP-1723926 and University of California start-up funds to CLC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA

    Aurélie Bak, MacKenzie F. Patton, Laura M. Perilla-Henao & Clare L. Casteel

  2. University of California, Cooperative Extension, Stockton, CA, 95206, USA

    Brenna J. Aegerter

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  1. Aurélie Bak
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  2. MacKenzie F. Patton
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  3. Laura M. Perilla-Henao
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  4. Brenna J. Aegerter
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  5. Clare L. Casteel
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Contributions

CLC conceived ideas and project, CLC and AB designed the experiments. AB, MFP, and LMPH performed the experiments. AB analyzed the data. CLC and AB wrote the manuscript with editorial advice from all other authors.

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Correspondence to Clare L. Casteel.

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Communicated by Merijn Kant.

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Bak, A., Patton, M.F., Perilla-Henao, L.M. et al. Ethylene signaling mediates potyvirus spread by aphid vectors. Oecologia 190, 139–148 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-019-04405-0

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