Characterization of the Arabidopsis-spider mite interaction

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To meet the global challenge of a sustainable agricultural production with a reduced pesticide use it is imperative to develop novel environmentally safe methods that can complement the current pesticide-based crop protection programs.The rapidly developing genomic/genetic resources in major crops, together with new breeding technologies, are providing a rational basis for the selection of resistant plants. While genomic resources for major plant pathogens facilitate plant breeding programs against diseases, similar resources are lacking for arthropod herbivores. A fundamental understanding of how arthropod herbivores interact with plants is crucial for development of new approaches to crop protection. We have recently sequenced the genome of two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae, one of the most polyphagous arthropods and one of the major pests in agriculture worldwide. This species feeds on over 1000 plant species belonging to more than 200 different plant families, including many agriculturally important crops. We have established TSMM as a model herbivore with molecular, genetic and genomic tools. TSMM is feeding on a plant model organism Arabidopsis thaliana that has the repertoire of information available on defense pathways and available genetic and genomic tools. We have established the Arabidopsis-spider mite interaction system with the long-term objective to understand molecular mechanism of their interaction. In this proposal, we will: a) characterize the mode of spider mite feeding/plant damage; b) identify plant perception of spider mite feeding; c) define the role of oxylipins in the regulation of plant defense against spider mite herbivory; d) identify the mechanism of mite adaptation to indol glucosinolates; and e) identify genes underlying natural variation in plant response to mite herbivory. Realization of these Objectives will train HQPs in wide range of skills, including genetics, plant and mite genomics and bioinformatics, physiology and microscopy making them competitive for careers in academia or industry.