Interplant communication increases aphid resistance and alters rhizospheric microbes in neighboring plants of aphid-infested cucumbers.

Background: Aphis gossypii Glover is a prevalent phytophagous insect that inflicts significant damage on cucumber plants. Recent studies have provided insights into plant communication and signal transduction within conspecifics. However, understanding of the effect of these communication mechanisms on adjacent cucumbers and their resident aphids, especially in the context of an aphid infestation, is still in its early stages.

Powdery mildew-induced changes in phyllosphere microbial community dynamics of cucumber.

As an important habitat for microorganisms, the phyllosphere has a great impact on plant growth and health, and changes in phyllosphere microorganisms are closely related to the occurrence of leaf diseases. However, there remains a limited understanding regarding alterations to the microbial community in the phyllosphere resulting from pathogen infections. Here, we analyzed and compared the differences in phyllosphere microorganisms of powdery mildew cucumber from three disease severity levels (0% < L1 < 30%, 30% ≤ L2 < 50%, L3 ≥ 50%, the number represents the lesion coverage rate of powdery mildew on leaves).

Exogenously applied melatonin alleviates the damage in cucumber plants caused by Aphis goosypii through altering the insect behavior and inducing host plant resistance.

Background: Aphis gossypii Glover is the main pest found in most cucumber-producing areas. Melatonin (MT) has been widely studied in protecting plants from environmental stresses and pathogens. However, little knowledge is available on the impact of MT on insect resistance.