Trichomes of Lycopersicon spp. and their effect on Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Abstract The green peach aphid ( Myzus persicae ) is becoming resistant to many of the pesticides used in the tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum ) industry. A potential alternative method of control is host-plant resistance, which may be mediated by trichomes. Resistance to the green peach aphid was assessed for six accessions of L. hirsutum, three of L. pennellii and a L. esculentum control. Mortality, entrapment and number of aphids unaffected by trichomes were recorded 24, 48 and 72 h after placement. Using multiple regression against counts of glandular and non-glandular trichomes, the role of foliar pubescence in resistance to the aphid was established. Lycopersicon pennellii possessed the highest level of resistance after 72 h and type IV trichome density accounted for 26.5% of variance in mortality ( P  < 0.001). Low densities of type IV and high densities of type VII trichomes increased the number of aphids 'unaffected' by trichomes, a relationship accounting for 29% of variance ( P  < 0.001). Information on which types of trichomes most strongly affect resistance to insect pests will aid future breeding and L. pennellii shows potential for use in breeding programs to increase levels of host-plant resistance in L. esculentum.     

Stomatal Response to Light of Solanum pennellii, Lycopersicon esculentum, and a Graft-induced Chimera

To learn how species differences in stomatal behavior are regulated, the response of epidermal and leaf diffusive resistance to light was investigated in Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., Solanum pennellii Corr., and a periclinal chimera having an S. pennellii epidermis and an L. esculentum mesophyll that was produced from a graft of the two species. S. pennellii has about 23% fewer stomata per square millimeter than does L. esculentum, and the two species have contrasting stomatal sensitivities to light. The abaxial stomata of L. esculentum open in dimmer light and to a greater extent than the adaxial stomata. The abaxial and adaxial stomata of S. pennellii respond similarly to light incident on the adaxial epidermis and are less open at all quantum flux densities than comparable stomata of L. esculentum. The patterns of response to light of the abaxial and adaxial stomata of the chimera were practically identical to those of L. esculentum, and quite unlike those of S. pennellii. Thus, the pattern of stomatal light response in the chimera was regulated by the L. esculentum mesophyll. The reduction in stomatal frequency of the chimera, which was regulated by the epidermis of S. pennellii, contributed to the 40% difference in leaf diffusive resistance between the plants in moderate light.     

Inheritance of potato aphid resistance in hybrids between Lycopersicon esculentum and L. pennellii

Summary The potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae Thomas, is an important pest of tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., because it transmits tomato viruses and directly reduces crop yields by its feeding. This study was conducted to determine whether the wild tomato species, Lycopersicon pennellii (Corr.) D'Arcy, would be useful as a source of potato aphid resistance for tomato. Type IV trichome density and aphid resistance were assessed in six generations (P₁, P₂, F₁, F₂, BC₁P₁, and BC₁P₂) from crosses between L. pennellii (LA 716) and two tomato cultivars, New Yorker and VF Vendor. Weighted leastsquares were used in joint scaling tests to estimate the relative importance of gene effects on type IV trichome density and potato aphid resistance of the hybrids. A simple additive-dominance model adequately explained the variation in type IV trichome density. Models which included digenic epistatic effects were required to explain the variation in aphid resistance. Standard unit heritability estimates of aphid resistance in the backcross to L. esculentum were obtained by regression of BC₁F₂ off-spring families on BC₁F₁ parents. Regression coefficients and heritability estimates varied between years with the level and uniformity of the aphid infestation. In the 1985–1986 growing seasons, when aphid infestations were uniform, aphid resistance exhibited a moderate level of heritability (29.8% ± 14.1% and 47.1% ± 11.5% in New Yorker and VF Vendor backcross populations, respectively). The non-uniform aphid infestation of 1984 resulted in lower heritability estimates in the 1984–1985 growing seasons (16.1% ± 15.7% and 21.9% ± 14.8% in the New Yorker and VF Vendor backcross populations, respectively). Selection for potato aphid resistance would probably be most efficient if it were delayed until gene combinations are fixed in later generations, because of the large epistatic effects and the low heritability of this trait in seasons with variable aphid infestations.     

Inheritance of acylsugar contents in tomatoes derived from an interspecific cross with the wild tomato Lycopersicon pennellii and their effect on spider mite repellence

Acylsugars present in Lycopersicon pennellii are responsible for the high levels of pest resistance often found in this wild tomato taxon. We investigated the inheritance of acylsugar contents in segregating populations of the interspecific tomato cross L. esculentum x L. pennellii and estimated correlations between leaflet acylsugar contents and the levels of mite repellence. Acylsugar contents were quantified with the Sommogy-Nelson colorimetric method in the acessions L. esculentum 'TOM-584' (P(1), low acylsugars), L. pennellii 'LA-716' (P(2), high acylsugars), in the interspecific F(1) (P(1) x P(2)) and in the F(2 )(P(1) x P(2)) generations. Mite resistance was assessed by a repellence test. Broad-sense heritability of acylsugar contents was moderately high (h(2)(b) = 0.476). Frequency distributions in the P(1), P(2), F(1) and F(2) can be explained by the action of a single major locus, with near-complete dominance of the L. esculentum allele for low-acylsugar content over the L. pennellii allele for high content. Indirect selection for high levels of acylsugars in leaflets led to correlated increases in the levels of mite repellency, indicating that acylsugars may be the main factor involved in mite resistance.     

Elevated CO2 alters the feeding behaviour of the pea aphid by modifying the physical and chemical resistance of Medicago truncatula

Elevated CO₂ compromises the resistance of leguminous plants against chewing insects, but little is known about whether elevated CO₂ modifies the resistance against phloem‐sucking insects or whether it has contrasting effects on the resistance of legumes that differ in biological nitrogen fixation. We tested the hypothesis that the physical and chemical resistance against aphids would be increased in Jemalong (a wild type of Medicago truncatula) but would be decreased in dnf1 (a mutant without biological nitrogen fixation) by elevated CO₂. The non‐glandular and glandular trichome density of Jemalong plants increased under elevated CO₂, resulting in prolonged aphid probing. In contrast, dnf1 plants tended to decrease foliar trichome density under elevated CO₂, resulting in less surface and epidermal resistance to aphids. Elevated CO₂ enhanced the ineffective salicylic acid‐dependent defence pathway but decreased the effective jasmonic acid/ethylene‐dependent defence pathway in aphid‐infested Jemalong plants. Therefore, aphid probing time decreased and the duration of phloem sap ingestion increased on Jemalong under elevated CO₂, which, in turn, increased aphid growth rate. Overall, our results suggest that elevated CO₂ decreases the chemical resistance of wild‐type M. truncatula against aphids, and that the host's biological nitrogen fixation ability is central to this effect.     

Integration of the Classical and Molecular Linkage Maps of Tomato Chromosome 6

In the past, a classical map of the tomato genome has been established that is based on linkage data from intraspecific Lycopersicon esculentum crosses. In addition, a high density molecular linkage map has recently been constructed using a L. esculentum X L. pennellii cross. As the respective maps only partially match, they provide limited information about the relative positions of classical and molecular markers. In this paper we describe the construction of an integrated linkage map of tomato chromosome 6 that shows the position of cDNA-, genomic DNA- and RAPD markers relative to 10 classical markers. Integration was achieved by using a L. esculentum line containing an introgressed chromosome 6 from L. pennellii in crosses to a variety of L. esculentum marker lines. In addition, an improved version of the classical linkage map is presented that is based on a combined analysis of new linkage data for 16 morphological markers and literature data. Unlike the classical map currently in use, the revised map reveals clustering of markers into three major groups around the yv, m-2 and c loci, respectively. Although crossing-over rates are clearly different when comparing intraspecific L. esculentum crosses with L. esculentum X L. pennellii crosses, the clusters of morphological markers on the classical map coincide with clusters of genomic- and cDNA-markers on the molecular map constructed by Tanksley and coworkers.     

Studies of the site and mode of biosynthesis of tobacco trichome exudate components

Detached glandular trichome head preparations and epidermal strips with and without trichome heads were used to identify glandular trichome heads as the site of sucrose ester biosynthesis in tobacco. Carbon dioxide in solution as well as sucrose, glucose, and acetate were shown to serve as precursors to both sucrose esters and duvatrienediol diterpenes in detached trichome heads or epidermal strips, and gaseous CO2 was also efficiently utilized by epidermal strips. Thus, glandular heads can biosynthesize these principal exudate components from a molecule as simple as CO2. While formation of duvatriendiols from all precursors tested and conversion of sucrose and glucose to sucrose esters was light dependent, utilization of acetate to label the 6-O-acetyl group of the glucose moiety of sucrose esters occurred equally well in light and dark. The data suggest that CO2 and/or monosaccharides produced in trichome head cells and perhaps that supplied by other epidermal cells can act as carbon sources for sucrose ester and duvatrienediol biosynthesis which occurs in the glandular trichome head.     

Regulation of Triacylglucose Fatty Acid Composition (Uridine Diphosphate Glucose:Fatty Acid Glucosyltransferases with Overlapping Chain-Length Specificity)

UDP-glucose (UDP-Glc):fatty acid glucosyltransferases catalyze the UDP-Glc-dependent activation of fatty acids as 1-O-acyl-[beta]-glucoses. 1-O-Acyl-[beta]-glucoses act as acyl donors in the biosynthesis of 2,3,4-tri-O-acylglucoses secreted by wild tomato (Lycopersicon pennellii) glandular trichomes. The acyl composition of L. pennellii 2,3,4-tri-O-acylglucoses is dominated by branched short-chain acids (4:0 and 5:0; approximately 65%) and straight and branched medium-chain-length fatty acids (10:0 and 12:0; approximately 35%). Two operationally soluble UDP-Glc:fatty acid glucosyltransferases (I and II) were separated and partially purified from L. pennellii (LA1376) leaves by polyethylene glycol precipitation followed by DEAE-Sepharose and Cibacron Blue 3GA-agarose chromatography. Whereas both transferases possessed similar affinity for UDP-Glc, glucosyltransferase I showed higher specificity toward short-chain fatty acids (4:0) and glucosyltransferase II showed higher specificity toward medium-chain fatty acids (8:0 and 12:0). The overlapping specificity of UDP-Glc:fatty acid glucosyltransferases for 4:0 to 12:0 fatty acid chain lengths suggests that the mechanism of 6:0 to 9:0 exclusion from acyl substituents of 2,3,4-tri-O-acylglucoses is unlikely to be controlled at the level of fatty acid activation. UDP-Glc:fatty acid glucosyltransferases are also present in cultivated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), and activities toward 4:0, 8:0, and 12:0 fatty acids do not appear to be primarily epidermal when assayed in interspecific periclinal chimeras.     

Use of introgression lines and zonal mapping to identify RAPD markers linked to QTL

RAPD primers were identified as giving parent-specific bands when screened with a set of introgression lines containing introgressed regions of Lycopersicon pennellii that encompass 5 quantitative trait loci affiliated with the production and composition of acylsugars, compounds associated with insect resistance. Primers giving L. pennellii introgression specific bands were zonally mapped to identify bands affiliated with the quantitative trait target and flanking regions using subsets of 7 to 16 F2 individuals which contained small overlapping segments (zones) of the L. pennellii genome spanning those regions. Seventeen RAPD primers, agt-related primers, and an agt clone were then used in mapping the complete F2 population of 144 individuals. This work resulted in the identification of RAPD markers for three of the 5 quantitative trait loci and the construction of an integrated RAPD/RFLP genomic map for tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum x L. pennellii LA716) of 111 RAPD and 8 acylglucose transferase related markers added to a framework map of 150 RFLP markers.     

Effect of fertilization levels, age and canopy height of Lycopersicon hirsutum on the resistance to Myzus persicae

The effects of different levels of fertilization with nitrogen and potassium (NK), height within the canopy and plant age of Lycopersicon hirsutum f. glabratum (PI 134417) C. H. Mull and L. esculentum on the density of foliar cristalliferous idioblasts and trichomes, and on the levels of 2- tridecanone (2-TD) and 2-undecanone (2-UD) and their influence on the resistance to Myzus persicae (Sulzer) were investigated. NK levels were inversely related to densities of trichomes and cristalliferous idioblasts in L. esculentum, but only to densities of cristalliferous idioblasts in L. hirsutum. Trichome density increased with increasing height within the canopy and with plant age in L. esculentum and L. hirsutum. Density of cristalliferous idioblasts in L. hirsutum increased with canopy height reaching a maximum at mid-height within the canopy in opposition to L. esculentum in which a small decrease in density with height within the canopy was found. There was also a small decrease of idioblast density with increasing plant age for L. esculentum, while a greater and opposite variation took place in L. hirsutum. L. esculentum has mainly non- glandular leaf trichomes (90%), while L. hirsutum has mainly glandular trichomes (97%). The main glandular trichomes of L. hirsutum are producers of 2-TD and 2-UD, whose leaf content increases with increase of trichome density. A negative effect of 2-TD concentration and cristalliferous idioblast density on the survival and longevity of M. persicae was observed. Since L. hirsutum presented much higher levels of 2-TD and cristalliferous idioblast density than L. esculentum, L. hirsutum seems a promising source of resistance to M. persicae for tomato breeding programs.     

Salinity effects on water relations in Lycopersicon esculentum and its wild salt-tolerant relative species L. pennellii

Cultivated tomato Lycopersicon esculentum (L.) Mill. cv. P-73 and its wild salt tolerant relative L. pennellii (Correll) D'Arcy accession PE-47, were grown during spring-summer 1989 under unheated plastic greenhouse conditions. Plants were submitted to two different salt treatments using 0 and 140 mM NaCI irrigation water. In both tomato species, salinity caused a proportionally larger reduction in leaf area than in leaf weight and, in L. esculentum , a proportionally larger decrease in stem weight than in leaf weight. Daily variations in leaf water potential (Ψ₁) were fundamentally due to changes in the evaporative demand of the atmosphere. Reductions in Ψ₁ due to salinity were consistent only in L. esculentum . In all the conditions studied, leaf turgor was maintained. Leaf conductance (g₁)was higher in L. esculentum than in L. pennellii .Salinity induced a clear reduction in g₁ levels in L. esculentum whereas, in L. pennellii , this reduction was noted only in May. In both species the Ψ^o_s (leaf osmotic potential at full turgor) levels were reduced by salinity. The bulk modulus of elasticity (E) and relative water content at turgor loss point (RWC_tlp) were not affected by salinity. The RWC_tlp values in L. pennellii seem to be controlled by E values.     

Release of hormones from conjugates: chloroplast expression of β-glucosidase results in elevated phytohormone levels associated with significant increase in biomass and protection from aphids or whiteflies conferred by sucrose esters

Transplastomic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants expressing β-glucosidase (Bgl-1) show modified development. They flower 1 month earlier with an increase in biomass (1.9-fold), height (1.5-fold), and leaf area (1.6-fold) than untransformed plants. Trichome density on the upper and lower leaf surfaces of BGL-1 plants increase by 10- and 7-fold, respectively, harboring 5-fold more glandular trichomes (as determined by rhodamine B staining), suggesting that BGL-1 lines produce more sugar esters than control plants. Gibberellin (GA) levels were investigated because it is a known regulator of flowering time, plant height, and trichome development. Both GA(1) and GA(4) levels are 2-fold higher in BGL-1 leaves than in untransformed plants but do not increase in other organs. In addition, elevated levels of other plant hormones, including zeatin and indole-3-acetic acid, are observed in BGL-1 lines. Protoplasts from BGL-1 lines divide and form calli without exogenous hormones. Cell division in protoplasts is enhanced 7-fold in the presence of exogenously applied zeatin-O-glucoside conjugate, indicating the release of active hormones from their conjugates. Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) and aphid (Myzus persicae) populations in control plants are 18 and 15 times higher than in transplastomic lines, respectively. Lethal dose to kill 50% of the test population values of 26.3 and 39.2 μg per whitefly and 23.1 and 35.2 μg per aphid for BGL-1 and untransformed control exudates, respectively, confirm the enhanced toxicity of transplastomic exudates. These data indicate that increase in sugar ester levels in BGL-1 lines might function as an effective biopesticide. This study provides a novel strategy for designing plants for enhanced biomass production and insect control by releasing plant hormones or sugar esters from their conjugates stored within their chloroplasts.     

Evaluation of salt tolerance in cultivated and wild tomato species through in vitro shoot apex culture

The possibility of using in vitro shoot apex culture to evaluate salt tolerance of cultivated (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and wild (Lycopersicon pennellii (Correll) D'Arcy) tomato species was determined and related to the response obtained by callus culture. Both apices and calluses were grown on media supplemented with 0, 35, 70, 105, 140, 175 and 210 mM NaCl, and growth and physiological traits were determined. Most apices of L. esculentum did not develop roots from low NaCl levels, whereas the apices of L. pennellii were able to develop roots at the different salt levels. This different degree of salt tolerance between L. esculentum and L. pennellii was not, however, clearly shown on the basis of the shoot growth of the plantlets. The callus response was similar to that shown by the rooting parameters, as callus growth in response to increased salinity was much greater in L. pennellii than in the tomato cultivar. K⁺decreased more and proline accumulated less with salinity in shoots of L. esculentum compared to L. pennellii, whereas the opposite response was obtained in calluses. The results obtained in this study suggest that rooting parameters are the most useful traits for rapid evaluation and screening of tomato species and segregating populations through in vitro shoot apex culture. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Influence of Canopy Height and Fertilization Levels on the Resistance of Lycopersicon Hirsutum to Aculops Lycopersici (Acari: Eriophyidae)

The objective of this work was to study the effect of NK fertilization levels and canopy height on the resistance of Lycopersicon hirsutum and Lycopersicon esculentum to Aculops lycopersici (Acari: Eriophydae). The effects of NK fertilization levels and canopy height in the leaf size and density of trichomes and their effects on tridecan-2-one (2-TD) and undecan-2-one (2-UD) limiting the attack of A. lycopersici on tomato plants were assessed. Different NK fertilization levels had no effect on the resistance of L. hirsutum to A. lycopersici. No significant differences were found in attack rates of this mite on leaves of the top and median parts of L. hirsutum canopy. The type and density of trichomes were the main determining factor of A. lycopersici attack on tomato plants. High trichome densities and type VI glandular trichomes which produce tridecan-2-one are important resistance factors on tomato plants. L. hirsutum showed a high resistance level to A. lycopersici due to high densities of type VI glandular trichomes and consequently higher levels of tridecan-2-one in its leaves.     

Variation in Response of Wild Lycopersicon and Solanum spp. against Tomato Powdery Mildew (Oidium lycopersici)

A set of 154 accessions of nine wild Lycopersicon spp. and five accessions of three closely related Solanum spp. were tested for resistance to tomato powdery mildew ( Oidium lycopersici ). Screening revealed valuable sources of resistance, mainly among L. hirsutum, L. pennellii, L. cheesmanii, L. chilense, L. peruvianum and L. parviflorum. L. esculentum (all ssp.) and L. pimpinellifolium expressed high susceptibility to O. lycopersici inoculation. Results of variance and cluster analysis of responses to O. lycopersici coincide with recent taxonomic classification and genetic relationships within genus Lycopersicon .     

Foliar pubescence and resistance to potato moth, Phthorimaea operculella, in Lycopersicon hirsutum

Pubescence characteristics for six accessions of Lycopersicon hirsutum Dunal and five accessions of L. hirsutum f. glabratum CH Mull. were determined and compared with those of an accession of cultivated tomato (L. esculentum Mill.). Removal of trichome exudates from excised leaflets using ethanol solution resulted in a reduced mortality and increased survival of potato moth (Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller)) neonates for the accessions that were most lethal when not treated with ethanol solution. No such treatment effect was evident for L. esculentum or for the L. hirsutum accession with least effect on neonates when its trichomes were intact. In a glasshouse experiment with caged intact plants, mortality of neonate P. operculella placed on the abaxial surface was greater on seven accessions than for L. esculentum.Neonates were less severely affected on the adaxial surface. Eleven days after inoculation, no live larvae were found on LA 1927, PI 127827, PI 134418, and PI 134428, and numbers on other accessions were lower than for L. esculentum. Eventual emergence of adults followed a similar trend. Multiple regression of insect data against pubescence indicated a significant correlation between density of type IV and VI trichomes and neonate mortality, decreased larval development and decreased adult emergence. Non-glandular type V trichomes were positively correlated with high survival of insects to 11 days and to adult. Though factors other than glandular trichomes are likely to be important, increased density of type IV and VI, along with reduced type V, are shown to be important to select in breeding for P. operculella resistance.     

Variation for resistance to aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) among tomato inbred backcross lines derived from wild Lycopersicon species

Two tomato inbred backcross line (IBL) populations, derived from crosses between aphid-susceptible Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. 'Peto 95-43' X resistant wild L. pennellii Corr (D'arcy) accession LA716, and Peto 95-43 X resistant wild L. hirsutum f. glabratum Mull accession LA407, were evaluated in replicated field experiments for resistance to potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas), and green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer). Aphid infestation scores for each IBL and control (LA716, LA407, Peto 95-43, and susceptible 'Alta') plot were recorded weekly for 5 and 9 wk during the summers of 2000 and 2001, respectively. Aphid infestation scores from leaflets were used to calculate area under the infestation pressure curve (AUIPC), a measure of aphid infestation throughout the growing season, for each IBL and control. Score AUIPC was highly correlated with actual aphid count AUIPC, indicating that scores accurately reflected aphid infestation. Score AUIPC was also highly correlated across both years (2000 and 2001) and locations. Low score AUIPC was significantly correlated with larger plant size and sprawling, indeterminate plant growth habit. Seven IBLs, LA716, and LA407 were significantly more resistant to aphids (lower score AUIPC) than susceptible parent Peto 95-43 in both years. Two IBLs, 1034 and 1051, were not significantly different from resistant LA407 for score AUIPC in both years. The seven aphid-resistant IBLs identified here can be useful as donor parent material for resistance breeding efforts in cultivated tomato.     

Very low density and low density lipoprotein subfractions in type III and type IV hyperlipoproteinemia. Chemical and physical properties.

Subfractions of CLDL (VLDL), Sf 100-400; CLDL2, Sf 60--100; VLDL3, Sf 20--60) and LDL (LDL), Sf 12--20; LDL2, Sf 6--12; LDL3, Sf 3--6) were isolated from the plasma of three normal, three type III and four type IV hyperlipoproteinemic subjects. In the type IV group, all VLDL subspecies were of normal composition but were increased in concentration in the order VLDL1 greater than VLDL2 greater than VLDL3. In the same subjects, although LDL2 was lowered and LDL3 increased, the total plasma LDL concentration was normal. All VLDL subfractions were elevated in the type III group, but in this case VLDL3 predominated. These subfractions were enriched in cholesteryl esters and depleted in triglyceride. In the LDL density range there was a shift of mass towards the least dense fraction, LDL1, which was of normal composition. EPR studies of the VLDL and LDL subfractions in a type IV subject demonstrated a decrease in fluidity with increasing density. The major change occurred between VLDL3 and LDL1 and was attributed to a substantial alteration in the cholesteryl ester : triglyceride ratio in the particle. A similar argument was used to explain thction in normal or type IV subjects. Particle diameters, determined by laser light-scattering spectroscopy were in good agreement with the values obtained by electron microscopy. This study provides a baseline for the examination of the relationship between the physical and metabolic properties of VLDL and LDL subfractions in type III and IV hyperlipoproteinemia.     

Different elongation pathways in the biosynthesis of acyl groups of trichome exudate sugar esters from various solanaceous plants

Two common pathways are known for elongation of aliphatic acids via acetate in biological organisms: the fatty acid synthase (FAS) and the alpha-ketoacid elongation (alphaKAE) pathways. The alphaKAE route is utilized in many biosynthetic pathways, including the tricarboxylic acid cycle, leucine biosynthesis, and in formation of coenzyme B, glucosinolates, alpha-ketoadipate, sugar-ester acyl acids, short-chain alcohols of yeast and Clostridium species, 2-amino-4-methylhex-4-enoic acid, and l-gamma-phenyl butyrine. In the FAS route, both carbons from acetyl-acyl carrier protein are retained per elongation cycle, while in the alphaKAE route only one carbon from acetyl-coenzyme A is retained. Available evidence indicates that different members of the family Solanaceae may use one or the other of these elongation mechanisms in the synthesis of acyl groups of trichome-exuded sugar esters. In both, precursors for elongation are derived from branched-chain amino acid metabolism. Here we compared radiolabeling patterns in sugar-ester acyl groups from trichomes (the specific tissue in which sugar esters are synthesized) of the tobaccos, Nicotiana benthamiana, N. gossei, N. glutinosa, of Petunia x hybrida cv. Falcon Red & White, and Datura metel, and epidermal peels of Lycopsersicon pennellii after their synthesis from [2-(14)C]-, [1-(14)C]- and [1,2-(14)C]acetate. Recovered acyl acids were purified and then degraded to determine label distribution between the carboxyl termini and the remainder of the molecules. Six- and 20-h incubations were studied, and membrane fatty acids were monitored as internal controls for FAS-mediated elongation. Results are consistent with participation of alphaKAE in synthesis of sugar-ester acyl groups of tobaccos and petunia, but apparently FAS is utilized in the formation of these groups in L. pennellii and D. metel.