Induced resistance in potato plants by a non-pathogenic <em>Pseudomonas putida</em> BTP1 against potato tuber moth (<em>Phthorimaea operculella</em> Zeller)

Abstract

Pseudomonas putida strain BTP1 is able to promote induced systemic resistance (ISR) in a wide spectrum of pathosystems. In this study, we investigated induced resistance in potato plants against potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella Zeller) by non-pathogenic P. putida BTP1. Several physiological indicators in the life cycle of the potato tuber moth, such as survival rate, mean weight of pupae, and sex ratio were studied to assess the protective effect of P. putida BTP1. Our results showed that treatment of potato tubers by bacterial suspension of P. putida BTP1 caused evident disturbance to the development of P. operculella in potato plants. Survival rate of larvae feeding on treated plant leaves and mean weight of pupae decreased significantly. In addition, a clear deviation in the sex ratio in moths, in favor of males, resulted from larvae fed on bacteria-treated plants. This study preliminarily reports the ability of BTP1 to induce resistance in potato plants against potato tuber moth. Consequently, P. putida strain BTP1 could be a promising approach for potato tuber moth biocontrol.