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Exogenous phytohormones and the induction of plant galls by insects

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Abstract

The mechanism of gall induction by insects has remained elusive. Previous studies have met with limited success in attempting to induce galls by injection or application of chemical compounds. To determine whether an exogenous source of phytohormones plays a role in gall induction, we injected cytokinin (CK), auxin (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA), and abscisic acid (ABA) in various concentrations, ratios, and combinations into leaf petioles of Capsicum annuum L. cv. California Wonder (Solanaceae). We found that CK + IAA injections lead to gall-like growth in C. annuum. GA enhanced and ABA inhibited gall growth except in the presence of GA. Isopentenyl adenine (IP) was the most effective type of CK at inducing growth. Our work is consistent with the hypothesis that exogenous CK + IAA produced and supplied by insects leads to gall induction. We hypothesize that insects have obtained the capability to induce galls via acquisition of the biosynthetic pathways to produce IAA and trans-zeatin family CKs through microbial symbiosis or lateral gene transfer.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank K. Biskar and S. Byrd for their assistance in injections and plant maintenance, and Z.H. He for assisting with the hormone solutions and providing laboratory facilities. We would also like to thank V.T. Parker, Z. Hajian-Forooshani, Z.H. He, and two anonymous reviewers for their comments on an earlier draft of this manuscript. This work was supported in part by a grant from the Office of the Vice Provost for Research at SFSU and by NSF Grant DEB 0943263.

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  1. Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA

    Linnea Bartlett & Edward F. Connor

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Bartlett, L., Connor, E.F. Exogenous phytohormones and the induction of plant galls by insects. Arthropod-Plant Interactions 8, 339–348 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11829-014-9309-0

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