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Does aphid salivation affect phloem sieve element occlusion in vivo?
Karla J Medina-Ortega1, G P Walker
1Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
Journal of Experimental Botany
|October 16, 2013
Summary
Aphid saliva does not reverse phloem plugging in Fabaceae plants. Forisome plugs, which block sap flow after damage, were not dissolved faster by aphid saliva, even with direct contact.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Entomology
- Plant-insect interactions
Background:
- Plants seal damaged phloem sieve tubes using forisome plugs to prevent sap loss.
- Aphids feeding on phloem sap must overcome this plugging mechanism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate in vivo whether aphid saliva can reverse forisome-induced phloem plugging.
Main Methods:
- Forisome plugs were induced in Fabaceae plants.
- Aphids were induced to salivate into sieve elements containing plugs.
- Samples were cryofixed, and forisome states were analyzed in penetrated and control sieve elements.
Main Results:
- Forisomes were in direct contact with aphid saliva.
- Aphid saliva did not accelerate the reversion of forisome plugs compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Aphid saliva does not effectively reverse forisome plugs in vivo.
- The mechanism by which aphids feed on phloem sap may not involve saliva-mediated reversal of forisome plugs.
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