specialized insects that feed directly from the phloem sap and are some of the most
devastating pests of crops. Research in my laboratory aims to find out the
mechanisms of basal plant defense, how aphids avoid these basal defenses to
establish successful colonies on susceptible plants, and the alternative defense
strategies deployed by plant varieties resistant to aphid colonization.
We analyzed the changes in plant gene expression and in the accumulation of
different plant metabolites after aphid attacks to start the dissection of
compatible or incompatible interactions, using different plant models (soybean and
Arabidopsis). We found that plants use an arsenal of chemical weapons as basal
defense mechanisms against aphids; however, aphids can suppress the signals that
trigger these defenses in susceptible plants through a decoy that instead trick
plants to respond to a non-existent water stress. This decoy is likely elicited by
small proteins present in the aphid's saliva, and it blocks not only the defense
against aphids but also makes plants more susceptible to attacks by other pests. On
the other hand, plants that are resistant to aphid colonization seem immune to the
aphid decoy and are able to establish a rapid defense that blocks aphid growth.
Understanding these interactions will be useful for better crop management
strategies and the development of novel plant varieties with increased resistance to
these pests.