Bemnisia tabaci feeding induces pathogenesis-related proteins in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Cranzts) plants fed upon by whitefly Bemisia tabaci showed increased levels of pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins, such as beta-1, 3-glucanase, peroxidase and chitinase activities, as compared to uninfested plants. The enzymes increased in specific activities from 2 to 7 fold and protein content in leaf extracts decreased in whitefly-infested plants, compared to uninfested plants. Among the three PR proteins, B. tabaci feeding induced significantly higher beta-1, 3-glucanase activities, when compared with other two PR proteins. Study also discussed the possible application of PR proteins in whitefly control program.