The plant response induced in wheat ears by a combined attack of Sitobion avenae aphids and Fusarium graminearum boosts fungal infection and deoxynivalenol production.

ABSTRACT: The pathogen Fusarium graminearum, producer of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol, and Sitobion avenae aphids both reside on wheat ears. We explored the influence of an earlier aphid infestation on the expression profile of specific molecular markers associated with F. graminearum infection. Using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, we followed the expression of wheat defence genes on S. avenae infestation and explored the effect on a subsequent F. graminearum infection. This was performed by the assessment of disease symptoms, fungal biomass, mycotoxin production and number of aphids at several time points during disease progress. Wheat ears infected with F. graminearum showed more disease symptoms and higher deoxynivalenol levels when ears were pre-exposed to

SUBMITTER: De Zutter N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6638299 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature