Date of Award
2011
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program
Biology
Supervisor
Dr. Vojislava Grbic
Second Advisor
Dr. Susanne Kohalmi
Third Advisor
Dr. Priti Krishna
Abstract
The two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) is a pest of tomatoes (Solarium lycopersicum) worldwide. The aim of this study was to generate data for comparison of spider mite resistant and susceptible tomato cultivar transcriptiome responses to mite feeding. Cultivars were screened for mite resistance using a platform developed and presented in this thesis. MicroTom (a brassinosteroid biosynthesis mutant) was found to be resistant to mite feeding, while MicroTom-D (a near isogenic line with increased brassinosteroid biosynthesis) was susceptible indicating that brassinosteroids may have a role in defences against spider miteTbeding. Jasmonic acid levels differed in these two lines endogenously and in response to spider mite feeding. Preliminary analysis of transcriptional response data indicates that MicroTom has a more dynamic early response to spider mite feeding than MicroTom-D. In addition, the basis of MicroTom resistance may involve changes in polyamine metabolism, and up regulation of cystiene protease inhibitors.
Recommended Citation
Fung, Ingrid, "ANALYSIS OF VARIATIONS IN SUSCEPTIBILITY AND TRANSCRIPTOME RESPONSES IN TOMATO TO TWO-SPOTTED SPIDER MITE FEEDING" (2011). Digitized Theses. 3258.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/3258