Ginkgo biloba responds to herbivory by activating early signaling and direct defenses.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) is one of the most ancient living seed plants and is regarded as a living fossil. G. biloba has a broad spectrum of resistance or tolerance to many pathogens and herbivores because of the presence of toxic leaf compounds. Little is known about early and late events occurring in G. biloba upon herbivory. The aim of this study was to assess whether herbivory by the generalist Spodoptera littoralis was able to induce early signaling and direct defense in G. biloba by evaluating early and late responses.

Methodology/principal findings

Early and late responses in mechanically wounded leaves and in leaves damaged by S. littoralis included plasma transmembrane potential (Vm) variations, time-course changes in both cytosolic calcium concentrati

SUBMITTER: Mohanta TK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3308967 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature