Biological aspects of Bemisia tabaci biotype B and the chemical causes of resistance in soybean genotypes

In Brazil, the silverleaf whitefly (SLW), Bemisia tabaci biotype B, is a serious soybean pest. SLW management is difficult and new control strategies, such as host–plant resistance, are required. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the biology of SLW, from eggs to adults, on seven soybean cultivars. The emergence of adult insects was monitored daily. Defense-related compounds were identified and quantified from the V3 to the V8 stages in SLW-infested and non-infested plants. The rates of emergence of SLW adults were lower in cultivars ‘IAC 17,’ ‘IAC 19’, and ‘IAC 24’ compared with the susceptible cultivar ‘IAC Holambra Stwart’. Rutin, genistin, genistein, and salicylic acid were identified and quantified in plant extracts. The rutin, genistin, and genistein levels decreased after SLW infestation. Rutin concentrations increased in infested plants of ‘IAC 17’ (V6) and ‘IAC 19’ (from V5 to V8). ‘Barreiras’ showed the highest genistein content in non-infested plants; from V5 growth stage, it was not detected in cultivars Doko (infested), Vencedora, ‘IAC 17’, and ‘IAC 24’ (non-infested). High levels of salicylic acid were observed in ‘IAC ‘19’-infested plants (at V3 and V5). The results suggest that rutin can be related to SLW adults’ emergence only when the feeding source was ‘IAC 19’. Consequently, further studies are needed to access the associated gene expressions and the effect of other secondary metabolites, mainly volatile compounds from SA pathway, including its consequences on feeding preference and mostly in relation to IAC cultivars.