{"id":1458,"date":"2018-05-18T17:02:44","date_gmt":"2018-05-18T09:02:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.agrinoon.com\/agriculture\/?p=1458"},"modified":"2018-05-18T17:02:44","modified_gmt":"2018-05-18T09:02:44","slug":"breakthrough-search-insect-resistant-plants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.agrinoon.com\/agriculture\/2018\/05\/18\/breakthrough-search-insect-resistant-plants\/","title":{"rendered":"Breakthrough in the search for insect-resistant plants"},"content":{"rendered":"

Inhibiting the production of the \u2018happiness\u2019 hormone \u2013 serotonin \u2013 in rice plants, increases their resistance to two of the world\u2019s most destructive and costly insect pests, new research has shown.<\/p>\n

The study, published this week in Nature Plants<\/em><\/a>, shows that by suppressing the production of serotonin, rice plants become more resistant to their two most serious predators \u2013 the brown plant-hopper and the striped stem borer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Using gene editing techniques on rice plants to switch off the serotonin-producing gene, the team found the plants also produced higher levels of salicylic acid \u2013 \u202fa chemical similar to aspirin.<\/p>\n

Conversely, adding serotonin to the resistant rice led to a loss in insect resistance.<\/p>\n

Important role played by serotonin in plant defence<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Led by experts from Newcastle University, UK, and Zhejiang University, China, the team says these new findings demonstrate the important role that serotonin plays in plant defence and opens up new opportunities for breeding insect-resistant varieties of rice and other cereal crops.<\/p>\n

Professor Angharad Gatehouse, co-author on the study and a Professor of invertebrate molecular biology at Newcastle University, explains:<\/p>\n

\u201cRecent research has suggested that, even though they lack a nervous system, plants are much more responsive to their surroundings than was previously thought.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis example shows how the same chemicals that modify behaviour in animals can be used to regulate plant defence against insect pests and is another reminder that all living organisms have more similarities than differences at a basic level.”<\/p>\n

Primary pests in rice crops<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Rice is one of the world\u2019s most important foods and the brown plant-hopper and striped stem borer are the two most serious pests in rice production causing losses of billions of dollars.<\/p>\n

The plant hopper is a sap-sucking pest, which transmits plant viruses, as well as causing \u201chopper burn\u201d where blockage of the water-carrying vascular tissue causes plants to wilt and die causing significant yield loss.<\/p>\n

The borer is a chewing insect which feeds on young plants causing \u2018dead hearts\u2019 and \u2018white heads\u2019 and again resulting in significant yield losses.<\/p>\n

“Indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides has resulted in these two pests becoming increasingly difficult to control,\u201d explains Professor Gatehouse.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe development of insect-resistant rice varieties is seen as a viable and ecologically sustainable approach for controlling these devastating insect pests.<\/p>\n

Serotonin – mood regulator and appetite booster<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Serotonin is ubiquitous across all forms of life and in mammals it is an important neurotransmitter.<\/p>\n

In humans, serotonin helps to regulate mood, boost our appetite, regulate digestion and helps with sleep and memory.<\/p>\n

In plants, serotonin is involved in growth and development, while in insects it is used to seek out resources and food.<\/p>\n

Analysing the plant\u2019s response to insect attack, the team found both serotonin and salicylic acid were produced in response to an infestation but supressing serotonin production made the rice plants more pest-resistant.<\/p>\n

And by disabling the gene responsible for making serotonin, the team were able to further increase levels of salicylic acid in the plant and increase its resistance.<\/p>\n

\n

Source<\/strong>: Newcastle University<\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Inhibiting the production of the \u2018happiness\u2019 hormone \u2013 serotonin \u2013 in rice plants, increases their resistance to two of the world\u2019s most destructive and costly insect pests, new research has shown. 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