Distinct defensive activity of phenolics and phenylpropanoid pathway genes in different cotton varieties toward chewing pests
Garima Dixit, Alka Srivastava, Krishan Mohan, R. S. Dubey, Rakesh Srivastava, Praveen C. Verma
Abstract
varieties were evaluated for their inherent insect-tolerance against two major cottons chewing pests. The insect bio-assay identified two tolerant and one susceptible cotton varieties. The study demonstrates difference in phenolic acids, proanthocyanidin and tannin accumulation in tolerant and susceptible varieties. The post-infestation of chewing pests increases transcript level of the phenylpropanoid pathway genes were detected in tolerant varieties as compared to the susceptible varieties. Altogether, chewing pest-tolerance level in cotton varieties is the cumulative effect of enhanced phenylpropanoid pathway genes expression and secondary metabolite leading to defense responses to conventional host plant.