| 研究開始時の研究の概要 |
Symbiotic microorganisms associate with insect pests like brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) where they serve various beneficial functions. Some of these microorganisms are also detected by rice to trigger plant defense responses. In this project, we examine the possibility of use of insect microbes for priming of defenses in rice, implemented as a new crop protection strategy in the integrated pest management (IPM).
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| 研究実績の概要 |
This research opened many new areas of knowledge that help us to better understand the role of pest associated microbial symbionts in pest performance and host plant defense. The main current conclusions of our research allow us to propose that brown planthopper honeydew indeed contains a complex mixture of microorganisms that signal the presence and/or identity of insect invader to rice plant. However, although some signals help to activate rice defense, such as 7-113 strain, others can actually counteract plant defense, such as 6-22. It suggests that enforcing the positive regulators of defense could be used to tip the balance towards the strong defense, and the use of strains such as 7-113 could be useful for improvement of rice defense during growth, which could yield similar effects as well-known Trichoderma biocontrol agent that is currently used in plant protection. In addition, this approach is cost effective and applicable in developing countries where the access to insecticides might be very limited. Because 6-22 strain boosts salicylate signaling used by plants against pathogens, we also hope to investigate antimicrobial properties of 6-22 application.
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