Ontogenetic changes in anti-herbivore defensive traits in leaves of four Mediterranean co-occurring <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus</Emphasis> species

Investment in anti-herbivore defence in tree species has been one of the priority research topics in plant terrestrial ecology during the last decades. However, despite considerable experimental effort, interspecific differences in the ontogenetic trends in the investment in defence are still a matter of debate, as to date experimental evidence is contradictory. In the present work, insect herbivory levels were measured in seedlings and mature trees of four co-occurring Mediterranean Quercus species with differing leaf life spans, as well as several leaf characteristics that can determine herbivore preference. The measured leaf traits included nitrogen (N), fibre (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin), total phenolic contents, leaf mass per unit area (LMA) and leaf thickness. The leaves of seedlings had a lower LMA and leaf thickness and lower concentrations of N and cellulose, but higher concentrations of lignin and phenols than those of mature trees. However, the loss of leaf area tended to be more severe for seedlings than for mature trees, although the differences were only significant for deciduous species. This constitutes a confirmation of the strong effects of physical traits on herbivore preferences. The greater resource limitations for defensive mechanisms in seedlings with respect to mature trees would explain that at intraspecific level we do observe a compromise between chemical and physical defences. As a result, seedlings rely on chemical rather than on physical defences.     

Resistance and response of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus pinaster</Emphasis> seedlings to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hylobius abietis</Emphasis> after induction with methyl jasmonate

Experimental induction of plant chemical defences with methyl jasmonate (MeJa) is a valuable tool for understanding the ecology of plant defensive responses. However, few studies have examined whether MeJa-induced defences in conifers are effective against insect herbivores. We studied, in 17 half-sib Pinus pinaster families, (i) the effect of MeJa application on plant growth and on the induction of diterpenoid resin in different sections of the stem; (ii) whether MeJa-induced defences increase the resistance of living pine juveniles against the large pine weevil Hylobius abietis in an in vivo bioassay and (iii) the induction of resin content after weevil wounding. Resin concentration was greater in the upper section of the stem compared with basal sections in both MeJa-induced and non-induced seedlings. Sixty days after MeJa application, treated plants showed 40% greater resin content all along the stem, but reduced height growth compared to control plants. MeJa-induction was effective against the pine weevil, as induced seedlings were 21% less damaged than control plants. Wounding activity by H. abietis produced a strong local defensive response after 48 h, where resin concentration was double that observed in the basal and apical sections not exposed to the insects.     

In vitro propagation of two antidiabetic species known as guarumbo: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cecropia obtusifolia</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cecropia peltata</Emphasis>

Two Cecropia species (Cecropia obtusifolia and C. peltata), known as guarumbo, are employed in Mexican traditional medicine to treat diabetes mellitus; the leaves of both species contain phenolic bioactive compounds such as chlorogenic acid (CA) and isoorientine (ISO), which have been attributed with hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant properties. An in vitro propagation protocol was developed from existing apical bud meristem from C. obtusifolia seedlings; the shoot generation was induced on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with varying concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine and kinetin (Kn) combined with either α-naphtalene acetic acid (NAA) or indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) auxins. Best morphogenetic response was developed with Kn 26.64 μM combined with either NAA or IAA 0.57 μM, respectively; likewise, C. peltata-seedling apical buds were subjected to these best selected treatments. Cecropia obtusifolia and C. peltata shoots were rooted in growth regulator-free half-strength MS medium, and regenerated whole plants were adapted successfully under greenhouse conditions and field. Leaves from both Cecropia-micropropagated plants produced the phenolic compounds CA and ISO, with highest concentrations in leaves from 18-month C. obtusifolia (12.28 ± 7.06 mg g⁻¹ dry leaves of CA and 8.30 ± 2.70 mg g⁻¹ dry leaves of ISO) growth in the field. Our results offer a protocol of apical-bud use for multiplication and curative-property conservation of the two previously mentioned important Mexican medicinal plants.     

Salt stress effects on growth,pigments, proteins and lipid peroxidation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salicornia persica</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">S. europaea</Emphasis>

The effects of NaCl stress on growth, water status, contents of protein, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), various sugars and photosynthetic pigments were investigated in seedlings of Salicornia persica and S. europaea grown in vitro. Seeds were germinated under NaCl (0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 mM) on Murashige and Skoog medium for 45 d. The shoot growth of both species increased under low NaCl concentration (100 mM) and then decreased with increasing NaCl concentrations. In contrast to S. persica, root length in S. europaea reduced steadily with an increase in salinity. Proline content in S. persica was higher than in S. europaea at most NaCl concentrations. Proline, reducing saccharide, oligosaccharide and soluble saccharide contents increased under salinity in both species. In contrast, contents of proteins and polysaccharides reduced in both species under salt stress. MDA content remained close to control at moderate NaCl concentrations (100 and 200 mM) and increased at higher salinities. MDA content in S. europaea was significantly higher than S. persica at higher salinities. Salt treatments decreased K⁺ and P contents in seedlings of both species. Significant reduction in contents of chlorophylls and carotenoids due to NaCl stress was also observed in seedlings of both species. Some differences appeared between S. persica and S. europaea concerning proteins profile. On the basis of the data obtained, S. persica is more salt-tolerant than S. europaea.     

Prolonged salt stress alters the ratios of protochlorophyllide spectral forms in dark-grown wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis>) and influences chlorophyll <Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis> accumulation following irradiation

To examine the effects of salt stress on dark-grown wheat (Triticum aestivum), seedlings of the salt-tolerant cultivar Sids 1 and the susceptible cultivar Giza 168 were grown in darkness for 14 days in nutrient solution with and without 200 mM of supplementary salt (100 mM of NaCl and 100 mM of KCl). During this time, we monitored their protochlorophyllide (Pchlide) contents, ratios of photoactive to non-photoactive forms of Pchlide (from 655/633-nm emission ratios in their 77 K fluorescence emission spectra) and (following flash irradiation) ratios of newly formed chlorophyllide (Chlide) to non-photoactive Pchlide. In addition, the accumulation of chlorophyll a in leaf sections was monitored during prolonged (24 h) irradiation. The results depended on the developmental state of the seedlings. However, the salt stress treatment caused marked increases in both Pchlide contents in dark-grown leaves and in Chlide contents following irradiation of leaf sections of both cultivars. The ratio of phototransformable to non-phototransformable Pchlide and the abundance of newly formed Chlide were also increased by the salt stress. Further, leaves of salt-stressed seedlings consistently accumulated more chlorophyll a than leaves of unstressed seedlings when floating on the nutrient solution (with or without supplementary salt) in continuous white light. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that increased levels of the long-wavelength form of Pchlide contribute to protective mechanisms against salt stress.     

Transgenic Rice Plants Expressing a Modified <Emphasis Type="Italic">cry1Ca1</Emphasis> Gene are Resistant to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spodoptera litura</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chilo</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">suppressalis</Emphasis>

Nucleotide sequence encoding the truncated insecticidal Cry1Ca1 protein from Bacillus thuringiensis was extensively modified based on the codon usage of rice genes. The overall G + C contents of the synthetic cry1Ca1 coding sequence were raised to 65% with an additional bias of enriching for G and C ending codons as preferred by monocots. The synthetic gene was introduced into the Chinese japonica variety, Xiushui 11, by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Transgenic rice plants harboring this gene were highly resistant to Chilo suppressalis and Spodoptera litura larvae as revealed by insect bioassays. High levels of Cry1Ca1 protein were obtained in the leaves of transgenic rice, which were effective in achieving 100% mortality of S. litura and C. suppressalis larvae. The levels of Cry1Ca1 expression in the leaves of these transgenic plants were up to 0.34% of the total soluble proteins. The larvae of C. suppressalis and S. litura could consume a maximum of 1.89  and 4.89 mm² of transgenic leaf area whereas the consumption of non-transgenic leaves by these larvae was significantly higher; 58.33 and 61.22 mm², respectively. Analysis of R₁ transgenic plants indicated that the cry1Ca1 was inherited by the progeny plants and provided complete protection against C. suppressalis and S. litura larvae.     

Growth and ion uptake in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Annona muricata</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">A. squamosa</Emphasis> subjected to salt stress

The effects of treatment with NaCl (3, 100 and 300 mM) for 1, 2, 3 and 7 d on plant growth and ion accumulation were analyzed in 2-week and 8-week-old Annona muricata and A. squamosa plants. Fresh mass and root growth inhibition were directly related to the increase in salinity, particularly for A. squamosa. Two-weeks old seedlings were sensitive to 100 and 300 mM NaCl particularly after 7 d, whereas 8-week-old plants were shown to be more resistant to NaCl even at 300 mM NaCl. Na⁺ and Cl^– mostly accumulated in young leaves. Our results suggest that A. squamosa is more sensitive than A. muricata to salt stress and that older seedlings of both species are more tolerant than younger seedlings.     

Responses of dominant desert species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia ordosica</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salix psammophila</Emphasis> to water stress

Morphology, biomass accumulation and allocation, gas exchange, and chlorophyll fluorescence were compared for one-year-old seedlings of Salix psammophila and Artemisia ordosica, two dominant desert species, in response to two water supplies (equivalent to 315.0 mm for present precipitation in growing season and to 157.5 mm for future decreasing precipitation) during 105 d. For both species, photochemical efficiency of photosystem 2 (F_v/F_m), net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, biomass accumulation in different organs, tree height, number of leaves, and leaf area were reduced in response to the decrease in water supply. For both species, instantaneous water use efficiency was not affected by the water deficit. However, diurnal patterns of gas exchange and biomass allocation were affected in different ways for the two species, with notably a decrease in specific leaf area and an increase in root : shoot ratio for S. psammophila only. Overall, S. psammophila was more responsive to the decreasing precipitation than A. ordosica.     

The effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lantana camara</Emphasis> leaf quality on the performance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Falconia intermedia</Emphasis>

The sap-sucking mirid, Falconia intermedia (Distant) (Hemiptera: Miridae), released as a biological control agent of Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) in South Africa in 1999, has established at only one site. We investigated the role of induced plant defences as a possible explanation for this lack of establishment. F. intermedia inoculated plants from the five test varieties significantly increased the toughness of their new leaves compared to control plants. Additionally, plants from three L. camara varieties significantly increased leaf trichome density on new leaves after prolonged feeding by F. intermedia, significantly reducing F. intermedia oviposition, survival and feeding damage. The defensive responses were systemic and rapidly induced about eight weeks after insect feeding. We suggest that these leaf quality responses played a role in the non-establishment of F. intermedia in South Africa.     

Protoplast isolation and culture for somatic hybridization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lupinus angustifolius</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>. <Emphasis Type="Italic">subcarnosus</Emphasis>

A method for isolation and shoot regeneration from electrofused protoplasts of L. angustifolius and L. subcarnosus was developed. Viable protoplasts were isolated from leaves of in-vitro grown seedlings at an average yield of 6 × 10⁵ protoplasts g⁻¹ fresh weight. Liquid and agarose solidified B5 media were used for protoplast culture. In the liquid-culture system, all tested media, VKM, P1 and KM8p, were applicable for inducing cell division (84% of all tested petri dishes at four weeks) and colony formation. Media containing additional carbohydrates were suitable to produce compact calli with green and brown pigmentations in different combinations. Analysis of callus with molecular markers allowed to identify six somatic hybrids. However, none of the parental-protoplast derived cell colonies could develop shoots. This is the first report on protoplast fusion of L. angustifolius and L. subcarnosus with subsequent shoot regeneration.     

Decomposition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Typha angustifolia</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phragmites australis</Emphasis> in the littoral zone of a shallow lake

Decomposition of air-dried live Typha angustifolia (L) stems and leaves and Phragmites australis (Cav. Trin ex Steud.) leaves and culms were studied in a shallow freshwater lake (Lake Fehér, Fertő-Hanság National Park, Hungary) using the litter bag technique. Samples were analyzed for dry mass, fiber (cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin) and nutrient (C, N, P, S) contents, litter-associated fungal biomass (ergosterol concentration), potential microbial respiration (electron transport activity: ETS) and cellulolytic bacteria. In terms of mesh size, there were no significant differences in the examined parameters of P. australis leaves and culms and T. angustifolia stems with leaves. P. australis leaves had the highest rate of decomposition and P. australis culms the lowest. Hemicellulose degraded more rapidly than the other fibers, while the lignin had the slowest rate of decomposition. The ETS activity of the examined plant litter types increased from day 91^st to 237^th while decomposition processes were most active, ergosterol contents were high, and there were few cellulolytic bacteria. The counts of cellulolytic bacteria fluctuated during the decomposition period, they were high at the beginning then they decreased. In each case bacteria were found to be the first colonizers of plant detritus, and were followed by fungal growth.     

Reclassification of Two <Emphasis Type="Italic">Peronospora</Emphasis> Species Parasitic on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Draba</Emphasis> in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hyaloperonospora</Emphasis> Based on Morphological and Molecular Phylogenetic Data

On the family Brassicaceae, the causal agent responsible for downy mildew disease was originally regarded as a single species, Peronospora parasitica (now under Hyaloperonospora), but it was recently reconsidered to consist of many distinct species. In this study, 11 specimens of Peronospora drabae and P. norvegica parasitic on the genus Draba were investigated morphologically and molecularly. Pronounced differences in conidial sizes (P. drabae: 14–20 × 12.5–15.5 μm; P. norvegica: 20–29 × 15.5–22 μm) and 7.8% sequence distance between their ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA sequences confirmed their status as distinct species. Based on ITS phylogeny and morphology (monopodially branching conidiophores, flexuous to sigmoid ultimate branchlets, hyaline conidia and lobate haustoria), the two species unequivocally belong to the genus Hyaloperonospora and not to Peronospora to which they were previously assigned. Therefore, two new combinations, Hyaloperonospora drabae and H. norvegica, are proposed. The two taxa are illustrated and compared using the type specimen for H. norvegica and authentic specimens for H. drabae, which is lectotypified.     

Androgenesis in the vine cacti <Emphasis Type="Italic">Selenicereus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hylocereus</Emphasis> (Cactaceae)

Anther culture techniques were applied to develop a methodology for producing haploid vine cactus plants. Anthers with most microspores in the middle uninucleate developmental stage from the tetraploid species Selenicereus megalanthus and the diploid species Hylocereus polyrhizus and H. undatus were cultured on basal MS medium supplemented with picloram and 6-benzyladenine (BA). H. polyrhizus and H. undatus anthers were also cultured on MS medium containing either thidiazuron (TDZ) or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Pro-embryo development started after three days of culture. A direct androgenic embryo response was achieved in S. megalanthus with and without picloram/BA, while H. polyrhizus exhibited non-regenerative callus formation. Only a single direct androgenic embryo was obtained in H. polyrhizus (with 0.1 mg/l TDZ). H. undatus required a cold pre-treatment of 4°C for 24 h in 0.3 M D-mannitol to produce a response, but only calluses were obtained and they did not regenerate. S. megalanthus and H. polyrhizus embryos converted into plantlets after transfer to MS medium in the light. Rooted plants were acclimatized successfully, and most plants showed normal phenotypes. Flow cytometry and cytological studies revealed monoploid, haploid, dihaploid, and mixoploid plants. This study showed that androgenesis is strongly species- and culture-medium-dependent, thus revealing new perspectives in the genetics and breeding of vine cactus species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the production of monoploid, haploid and dihaploid plants in Cactaceae.     

Nitrogen sink strength of ectomycorrhizal morphotypes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus douglasii</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Q. garryana</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Q. agrifolia</Emphasis> seedlings grown in a northern California oak woodland

Little information is known on what the magnitude of nitrogen (N) processed by ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal species in the field. In a common garden experiment performed in a northern California oak woodland, we investigated transfer of nitrogen applied as ¹⁵NH₄ or ¹⁵NO₃ from leaves to ectomycorrhizal roots of three oak species, Quercus agrifolia, Q. douglasii, and Q. garryana. Oak seedlings formed five common ectomycorrhizal morphotypes on root tips. Mycorrhizal tips were more enriched in ¹⁵N than fine roots. N transfer was greater to the less common morphotypes than to the more common types. ¹⁵N transfer from leaves to roots was greater when , not , was supplied. ¹⁵N transfer to roots was greater in seedlings of Q. agrifolia than in Q. douglasii and Q. garryana. Differential N transfer to ectomycorrhizal root tips suggests that ectomycorrhizal morphotypes can influence flows of N from leaves to roots and that mycorrhizal diversity may influence the total N requirement of plants.     

Osmotic solute responses of mycorrhizal citrus (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Poncirus trifoliata</Emphasis>) seedlings to drought stress

This study investigated the accumulation of osmotic solutes in citrus (Poncirus trifoliata) seedlings colonized by Glomus versiforme subjected to drought stress or kept well watered. Development of mycorrhizae was higher under well watered than under drought-stressed conditions. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) seedlings accumulated more soluble sugars, soluble starch and total non-structural carbohydrates in leaves and roots than corresponding non-AM seedlings regardless of soil-water status. Glucose and sucrose contents of well-watered and drought-stressed roots, fructose contents of well-watered roots and sucrose contents of drought-stressed leaves were notably higher in AM than in non-AM seedlings. K⁺ and Ca²⁺ levels in AM leaves and roots were greater than those in non-AM leaves and roots, while AM symbiosis did not affect the Mg²⁺ level. AM seedlings accumulated less proline than non-AM seedlings. AM symbiosis altered both the allocation of carbohydrate to roots and the net osmotic solute accumulations in response to drought stress. It is concluded that AM colonization enhances osmotic solute accumulation of trifoliate orange seedlings, thus providing better osmotic adjustment in AM seedlings, which did not correlate with proline but with K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, glucose, fructose and sucrose accumulation.     

Hexadecanoid pathway in plants: Lipoxygenase dioxygenation of (7<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>,10<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>,13<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>)-hexadecatrienoic acid

7,10,13-Hexadecatrienoic acid (16:3) is abundant in many plant species. However, its metabolism through the lipoxygenase pathway is not sufficiently understood. The goal of present work was to investigate the oxygenation of 16:3 by different plant lipoxygenases and to study the occurrence of oxygenated derivatives of 16:3 in plant seedlings. The recombinant maize 9-lipoxygenase specifically converted 16:3 into (7S)-hydroperoxide. Identification of this novel oxylipin was substantiated by data of GC-MS, LC-MS/MS, ¹H-NMR, and 2D-COSY as well as by deuterium labeling from [²H₆]16:3. Soybean lipoxygenase 1 produced 91% (11S)-hydroperoxide and 6% racemic 14-hydroperoxide. Recombinant soybean lipoxygenase 2 (specifically oxidizing linoleate into 13-hydroperoxide) lacked any specificity towards 16:3. Lipoxygenase 2 produced 7-, 8-, 10-, 11-, 13-, and 14-hydroperoxides of 16:3, as well as a significant amount of bis-allylic 9-hydroperoxide. Seedlings of several examined plant species possessed free hydroxy derivatives of 16:3 (HHTs), as well as their ethyl esters. Interestingly, HHTs occur not only in “16:3 plants”, but also in typical “18:3 plants” like pea and soybean seedlings.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium tumefaciens</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium rhizogenes</Emphasis> transformed roots of the parasitic plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triphysaria versicolor</Emphasis> retain parasitic competence

Parasitic plants in the Orobanchaceae invade roots of neighboring plants to rob them of water and nutrients. Triphysaria is facultative parasite that parasitizes a broad range of plant species including maize and Arabidopsis. In this paper we describe transient and stable transformation systems for Triphysaria versicolor Fischer and C. Meyer. Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium rhizogenes were both able to transiently express a GUS reporter in Triphysaria seedlings following vacuum infiltration. There was a correlation between the length of time seedlings were conditioned in the dark prior to infiltration and the tissue type transformed. In optimized experiments, nearly all of the vacuum infiltrated seedlings transiently expressed GUS activity in some tissue. Calluses that developed from transformed tissues were selected using non-destructive GUS staining and after several rounds of in vivo GUS selection, we recovered uniformly staining GUS calluses from which roots were subsequently induced. The presence and expression of the transgene in Triphysaria was verified using genomic PCR, RT PCR and Southern hybridizations. Transgenic roots were also obtained by inoculating A. rhizogenes into wounded Triphysaria seedlings. Stable transformed roots were identified using GUS staining or fluorescent microscopy following transformation with vectors containing GFP, dsRED or EYFP. Transgenic roots derived from both A. tumefaciens and A. rhizogenes transformations were morphologically normal and developed haustoria that attached to and invaded lettuce roots. Transgenic roots also remained competent to form haustoria in response to purified inducing factors. These transformation systems will allow an in planta assessment of genes predicted to function in plant parasitism. Alexey Tomilov and Natalya Tomilova made an equal contribution in the paper.     

Distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hordoindoline</Emphasis> genes in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hordeum</Emphasis>

Hordoindoline (Hin) genes, which are known to comprise Hina, Hinb-1, and Hinb-2, are associated with grain hardness in barley. However, the interspecific variation in the Hin genes in the genus Hordeum has not been studied in detail. We examined the variation in Hin genes and used it to infer the phylogenetic relationships between the genes found in two H. vulgare subspecies (cultivated barley and H. vulgare subsp. spontaneum) and 10 wild relatives (H. bogdanii, H. brachyantherum, H. bulbosum, H. chilense, H. comosum, H. marinum, H. murinum, H. patagonicum, H. pusillum, and H. roshevitzii). The Hina and Hinb genes of these species were amplified by PCR. We found two Hinb genes in three wild species (H. bogdanii, H. brachyantherum, and H. roshevitzii) and preliminarily named them Hinb-A and Hinb-B. Cluster analysis showed that the 17 Hinb genes present in Hordeum formed two distinct clusters (named A and B). Seven Hinb genes were included in Cluster-A, and 10 Hinb genes were included in Cluster-B. All Hinb-A genes were included in Cluster-A, while all of the Hinb-B genes were included in Cluster-B. In contrast, the Hinb-1 and Hinb-2 genes in H. vulgare were included in Cluster-B. These results suggest that the Hinb genes duplicated during the early stages of diversification in the genus Hordeum. On the other hand, the Hinb-1 and Hinb-2 genes in H. vulgare seem to have been generated by a duplication of the Hinb gene after the split of the lineages leading to H. vulgare and H. bulbosum.     

Phenolic compounds induced by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bemisia tabaci</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trialeurodes vaporariorum</Emphasis> in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nicotiana tabacum</Emphasis> L. and their relationship with the salicylic acid signaling pathway

Changes in the levels of secondary compounds can trigger plant defenses. To identify phenolic compounds induced by Bemisia tabaci Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) in tobacco (Nicotiana tobacco L.), the content changes of 11 phenolic compounds in plants infested by B. tabaci MEAM1 or Trialeurodes vaporariorum were compared. The chlorogenic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, rutin, and ferulic acid contents in B. tabaci MEAM1-infested tobacco plants increased significantly, having temporal and spatial effects, compared with uninfested control and T. vaporariorum infested plants. The contents were 4.10, 2.84, 2.25, 3.81, 1.46, and 1.91 times higher, respectively, than those in the control. However, a T. vaporariorum nymphal infestation just caused smaller chlorogenic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, and rutin contents increase, which were 2.33, 2.13, 1.59, and 3.19 times higher, respectively, than those in the control. In B. tabaci MEAM1 third-instar nymph-infested plants, chlorogenic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, and rutin increased more significantly in systemic than in local leaves. Salicylate-deficient plants inhibited the induction of the content of 10 phenolic compounds, but not caffeic acid, after a B. tabaci MEAM1 nymphal infestation. Thus, the elevated levels of phenolic compounds induced by B. tabaci MEAM1 were correlated with the salicylic acid signaling pathway and induced the responses of defense-related phenolic compounds.