Inoculation of tomato plants with rhizobacteria suppresses development of whitefly Bemisia tabaci (GENNADIUS) (HEMIPTERA: ALEYRODIDAE): Agro-ecological application

Abstract

In agroecosystems, soil biodiversity is increasingly becoming more recognized as providing benefits to both plants and human health. It performs a wide variety of ecological services beyond the recycling of nutrients to plant growth and manage pests and diseases below the economic injury level. This study investigated the effects of three Pseudomonas isolates (Q172B, Q110B and Q036B), isolated from untreated tomato rhizospheric soil, as a biological control agent of Bemisia tabaci which is a key pest of tomato crops. The study was conducted under laboratory and glasshouse conditions and the water treatment was used as a control. Adult mortality rates were assessed during three days at 24h interval and larva mortality rates were evaluated during six days after treatment at 48h interval. Results indicate that Q036B isolate has a faster effect on B. tabaci adult and larvae. Under laboratory conditions, all three Pseudomonas isolates (Q110B, Q036B and Q172B) have a significant effect on B. tabaci adult mortality compared to control. The earliest and the most important mortality rate of 76% was recorded by Q036B. Two isolates Q036B and Q110B caused a significant mortality on B. tabaci larvae; with highest mortality effect (79%) was observed for Q036B compared to control. However, Q172B has no mortality effects on B. tabaci larvae under laboratory conditions. In glasshouse conditions, only Q036B provided high mortality rates of 91% at 168h after treatment. The results of this study indicate that the Pseudomonas isolate Q036B significantly suppresses B. tabaci in tomato plant and could substitute the excessive use of chemicals. Current research indicates that soil biodiversity could be promising to preserve agro-ecological sustainability.

Introduction

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) is an important and one of the most widely grown vegetable crops in the world [1,2]. Recently, there has been more emphasis on tomato production, as it is not only considered as a source of vitamins, but also as a source of income and a major contributor towards food security [3]. However, there are many constraints to tomato production, including the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius)(Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) [4,5], which is a vector of germinivirus like TYLCV (Tomato Yellow leaf Curl Virus) [6]. Chemical control measures have been widely utilized to manage B. tabaci, and due to their over use B. tabaci has developed resistance to some insecticides which has reduced their efficacy [5,7]. The biocontrol by use of microorganisms represents a potentially attractive alternative disease management approach [8]. For microbial biopesticides, the most commonly used is the entomopathogenic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) [9]. In addition, previous studies have reported the entomocidal activity of B. thuringiensis endotoxins to Lygus Hesperus knight [10], cotton aphids Aphis gossypii and whitefly B. tabaci [11]. However, other microorganisms have shown insecticidal properties, including Enterobacter cloacae that has exhibited a mild pathogenicity with 34% mortality towards the silver leaf of whitefly B. argentifolii [12].

A limited amount of research has been conducted on the insecticidal activity of Pseudomonas. Silva et al.[13] reported that P. aeruginosa LBI 2A1 rhamnolipids derivatives have insecticidal properties against Aedes aegypti larvae (Diptera: Culicidae). Concerning the mechanisms applied, Lalithambika el al.[14] indicated efficient biocontrol of A. aegypti using an exotoxin derived from P. fluorescens. Additionally, Vodovar el al.[15] reported that P. entomophila exhibited control of Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, which may be due to strong hemolytic activity, involving proteins such as lipases, chitinases and/or hydrolases.

The rhizospheric soil of tomatoes in Morocco is rich in bacteria. The total bacterial flora in soil was shown to be higher in samples containing roots [16]. Previous research shows a significant effect of rhizobacteria against the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta and the mite Tetranychus urticea [17,18]. Therefore, this study investigated the efficacy of three Pseudomonas isolates as biological control agent, isolated from rhizospheric soil of tomatoes in Morocco, on the second instar and adults of B. tabaci under laboratory and glasshouse conditions.

Material and methods

Bemisia tabaci rearing

B. tabaci was reared on potted tomato plants Solanum lycopersicon (Pristyla variety, Gautier Seeds, France) in a glasshouse (T° = 25±2°C, RH = 70±5%) at the experimental farm of INRA (National Institute for Agricultural Research), Agadir, Morocco. The plants were grown in 5 L pots filled with a mixture of 1:2 (sterilized sand and peat). To obtain B. tabaci second instar larvae, young tomato plants (4–5 leaves) were placed in the same glasshouse close to infested plants for oviposition (48h), and then moved to another glasshouse at the same conditions (T° = 25±2°C, RH = 70±5%). It look 10 days to allow eggs to hatch and to have synchronized second instars larvae to develop on tomato [19–21].

Pseudomonas isolates

The three Pseudomonas isolates (Q172B, Q110B, and Q036B) were isolated from an experimental farm of the INRA, Agadir, southwestern Morocco (30°02′42.2′′N 9°33′13.4′′W). The isolated bacteria were characterized in a previous work [16] based on a partial rpoD gene sequence using the primers PsrpoD FNP1 (5′-TGAAGGCGARATCGAAATCGCCAA-3′) and PsrpoDnprpcr1 (5′-YGCMGWCAGCTTYTGCTGGCA-3′) [16].

Effects of Pseudomonas isolates on B. tabaci

All experiments evaluated three Pseudomonas isolates (Q110B, Q036B and Q172B) and a water control for influence on B. tabaci mortality.

Laboratory bioassay on adults

Tomato leaves were collected, thoroughly washed with tap water, rewashed with sterile distilled water and then dipped for 1 min in each bacterial suspension (10⁸ cfu/mL) for each isolate. Control tomato leaves were dipped in only distilled water for 1 min. The inoculated leaves were dried and introduced individually in sterile tubes. Fifteen adult whiteflies were then introduced in tubes containing the treated tomato leaves. The tubes were sealed by muslin tissue to allow ventilation. Three replicates were evaluated for each treatment, and the bioassay was replicated thrice. The tubes were incubated at T° = 25±2°C, RH = 70±5% and adult mortality was calculated 24, 48 and 72h after treatment application.

Laboratory bioassay on larvae

The effect of bacterial isolates on second instars B. tabaci larvae was studied under laboratory conditions using a bioassay leaf-dip technique [5,22]. A leaf cage was prepared from sterile Petri dishes (9 cm dia) containing Whatman paper soaked in sterile distilled water. 1.5 cm dia hole was made in the lid of each Petri dish and covered with muslin tissue. Tomato leaflets homogeneously infested with second instars of B. tabaci larvae were dipped in each isolate or sterile distilled water for 5s. The treated leaflets were dried under a laminar hood and then transferred to leaf cages. Four replicates for each leaf cage were used, and the experiment was replicated thrice. The cages were incubated at T° = 25±2°C, RH = 70±5% using a photoperiod of 16:8 hours (L: D). Mortality of second instars B. tabaci larvae was assessed from 24 to 168h after treatment. A larvae was considered dead once it was desiccated, and the color turned from normal pale yellow to brown [23,24].

Glasshouse bioassay on larvae

Tomato plantlets were infested by B. tabaci adults over a five day period in a controlled climate glasshouse (T° = 25±2°C, RH = 70±5%). After egg laying, adults were removed. The same conditions were maintained for the following 12 days to allow larval development to second instar. The leaves with similar numbers of larvae (225–307 larvae) were then sprayed by each bacterial suspension (10⁸ cfu/mL) or water control using a glass hand held sprayer with a cone nozzle. After drying, clip cages (as described by Muñiz and Nombela [25]) were positioned randomly on individual leaves. Four replicates were used for each isolates and the bioassay was repeated thrice. The environmental conditions were maintained as previously mentioned (T° = 25±2°C, RH = 70±5%). The mortality rate was calculated from 24 to 168h after treatment.

Statistical analysis

The percentage of mortality of B. tabaci larvae and adults was calculated for each Pseudomonas isolate. The mortality and rates, at each time, were subjected to the analysis of variance test (ANOVA) Statistica software (Version 6). Any difference mentioned is significant at p< 0.01 using the Newman–Keuls multiple range test.

Results and discussion

The efficacy of Pseudomonas isolates against B. tabaci adults

All three Pseudomonas isolates (Q110, Q036B and Q172B) had an effect on mortality of B. tabaci adults (Fig 1). The earliest effect of Pseudomonas occurred within the first day by Q036B, resulting in a 36% of mortality rate. The highest adult mortality rates was recorded 3 days after the bacterial treatment with Q036B being the highest at 76%. Adult mortality rates were higher at 24h, 48h and 72h for all Pseudomonas isolates compared to the control.

Fig 1. Mortality rate of B. tabaci adults over time as influenced by Pseudomonas isolates.

Means with the same letter are not significantly according to the Newman–Keuls multiple range test (α = 0.01).

Effects of Pseudomonas isolates on B. tabaci second instar larvae

Laboratory bioassay

Under laboratory conditions, the application of three Pseudomonas isolates on leaves infested by second instar larvae of B. tabaci provided a significant mortality (P<0.01) compared to control (Fig 2). The Pseudomonas isolate Q036B was the most effective and caused a 63% and 79% mortality rate at 120h and 168h after application, respectively. Another isolate Q110B provided similar high mortality rates as Q036B. However, Q172B provided no mortality to B. tabaci larvae and was similar to the water control.

Fig 2. Mortality rate of B. tabaci larvae over time as affected by Pseudomonas isolates under laboratory conditions.

Means with the same letter are not significantly different according to the Newman–Keuls multiple range test (α = 0.01).

Glasshouse bioassay

The application of the three Pseudomonas isolates on tomato plants under glasshouse conditions provided increased mortality to B. tabaci larvae compared to the water control (P<0.01) (Fig 3).Only the Q036B isolate resulted in high mortality rate to B. tabaci larvae. All other isolates provided mortality rates similar to the water control. The Q036B isolate provided 49%, 73%, and 91% mortality to B. tabaci larva at 72h, 120h, and 168h, respectively. Moreover, no plant damage was recorded during the experiment.

Fig 3. Influence of Pseudomonas isolate on mortalities rate of B. tabaci larvae over time under glasshouse conditions.

Means with the same letter are not significantly different according to the Newman–Keuls multiple range test (α = 0.01).

Discussion

The results of this study indicate that the three newly identified Pseudomonas isolates Q172B, Q110B and Q036B, isolated from rhizospheric soil of tomatoes in Morocco, have a strong efficacy resulting in mortality of B. tabaci larvae and adults in laboratory and in the glasshouse conditions. These results indicate that microbial soil biodiversity plays a dual role by protecting tomato plants against insects while also allowing a reduction in the application of insecticides.

There is evidence that the genus Pseudomonas contains virulent species against plant pests. Support for our results comes from the effects of different Pseudomonas strains on insect pests, either as bacterial suspensions or through other formulations [26,27]. In addition to the antibacterial, antifungal and nematode efficacy, Pseudomonas sp. has a great potential to cause insect larvae mortality. Lalithambika et al.[14] reported the efficient biocontrol of the dengue vector A. aegypti using an exotoxin derived from P. fluorescens. Mostakim et al.[28], and Omoya and Akinyosoye [29] also reported larvicidal activity of P. aeruginosa strains on Anopheles arabiensis, the main malaria vector in Nigeria, and the olive fruit fly Bactroceraoleae larvae (Diptera: Tephritidae). Additionally, Silva et al.[13] reported the larvicidal effect of P. aeruginosa LBI 2A1 derived rhamnolipids on A. aegypti larvae. A growing number of studies suggest that phyllosphere bacteria may represent a source of pathogens for plant-associated insects [30,31]. Stavrinides et al.[32] discovered that some strains of Pseudomonas cause high mortality rates after ingestion by pea aphids. This study provides evidence that three Pseudomonas isolates, isolated from rhizosphiric soil, increase mortality in the silverleaf whitefly, B. tabaci. These bacteria can act by several mechanisms in the biocontrol of diseases and pests. The ability to degrade chitin is considered the main mechanism involved in the control of pests [17,18]. Chitinolytic organisms such as Pseudomonas sp. and Streptomyces sp. isolated from the rhizosphere have been shown to be potential biocontrol agents [16,17,33]. Vodovar et al.[15] reported that Pseudomonas entomophila exhibits virulence against D. melanogaster due to strong hemolytic activity involving proteins such as lipases, chitinases and/or hydrolases.

Thus, pest management practices should include naturally occurring and introduced biocontrol agents. To achieve this, our study evaluated the biocontrol ability of three rhizobacterial isolates. Our findings further suggest that bacterial epiphytes and rhizospherics should be further explored for their potential use in insect pest management [30,34].

Biopesticides, such as those evaluated in our study, are becoming key components of integrated pest management programs, and are receiving practical attention as a means to reduce the amount of synthetic chemical products being used to control plant pests, and to protect stored products [35].

Conclusion

The rhizospheric soil is rich in bacteria. It constitutes a reservoir of biocontrol agents. The fluorescent Pseudomonas were the most abundant bacteria in the rhizospheric soil. This study evaluated the effect of three new Pseudomonas Q172B, Q110B and Q036B, isolated from rhizospheric soil of tomatoes, on the second instar and adults of B. tabaci under laboratory and glasshouse conditions. The results of this study indicate that the three Pseudomonas tested have a strong efficacy resulting in mortality of B. tabaci larvae and adults in both laboratory and glasshouse conditions. This effect can be explained by the hemolytic activity involving proteins such as lipases, chitinases and/or hydrolases. The application of the soil microorganisms as bio-insecticide, in pest management programs, is efficient and could reduce the amount of chemicals. These results indicate that microbial soil biodiversity plays a several roles by protecting tomato plants against insects and then reducing the uses of pesticides. Therefore, they protect human and environment health.

Data Availability

All relevant data are within the paper.

Funding Statement

The author(s) received no specific funding for this work.