S14 - Session P6 - Beneficial soil microbes to enhance tomato resistance against arthropod pests

Authors: Konstantinos Samaras, Paraskevi Ntalia, George Broufas, Maria Pappas *

Soil-borne beneficial microbes have been recognized for their ability to improve plant growth, antagonize pathogens and prime plant immunity against future attackers. Among root-colonizing microbes, plant-growth promoting fungi and rhizobacteria have shown potential in protecting plants not only against pathogens but also aboveground herbivores via the elicitation of systemic defense responses. Nevertheless, current knowledge on the effects of beneficial soil microbes against certain herbivorous pests such as key pests of tomato remains limited. In this study, we present a synthesis of our findings on the impact of a series of soil fungi and bacteria on enhancing direct resistance against key tomato pests, namely the two-spotted spider mite, greenhouse whitefly, green peach aphid, western flowers thrips and tomato stem borer. Biological control with the use of predatory insects and mites represents an effective alternative to chemicals. Here, we also explore the effects of soil microbes on indirect tomato resistance to herbivorous pests. Tomato inoculation with microbes is shown to differentially affect the studied herbivores as well as their natural enemies. Our results highlight the potential of beneficial soil microbes in pest control and the necessity to understand the molecular and chemical mechanisms underlying their plant-mediated effects. The research work is supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the " First Call for H.F.R.I. Research Projects to support Faculty members and Researchers and the procurement of high-cost research equipment grant " (Project Number: 50).