Cell death and changes in primary metabolism: the onset of defence in Eucalyptus in the war against Leptocybe invasa

BACKGROUND Here, we investigated changes in primary metabolism and cell death around oviposition sites in two hybrid clones of Eucalyptus with different degrees of resistance to Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), as well as tolerance to water deficiency. RESULTS We showed that apices of the resistant clone with oviposition had a higher content of amino acids, organic acids and the compound putrescine compared with those of the susceptible clone with oviposition. By contrast, apices of the resistant clone with oviposition had lower sugar and pyruvate organic acid content than those of the susceptible clone with oviposition. Small areas of necrosis were induced around the oviposition sites in the stem apices of Eucalyptus 24 h after infestation. The resistant clone developed larger necrotic areas that showed progressive increases 24–72 h after infestation compared with the susceptible clone, in which cell death was significantly lower and no changes were observed in necrotic area over time. Thus, the programmed death of cells around the egg, modulated by several amino acids, is likely the first defence response of Eucalyptus against L. invasa. CONCLUSION Our results serve as the basis for the early identification of key metabolites produced in plants in defence against galling insects. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry. Metabolic changes in Eucalyptus plant apices 24 h after oviposition by Leptocybe invasa culminated in the programmed death of the cells around the site of oviposition in a resistant clone. This mechanism is modulated by several amino acids and comprises the first defence response in plants against galling insects.