Research Projects

Herbivores, including the polyphagus lepidopteran Helicoverpa armigera, are devastating pests that infest 225 plant species across 46 families. The pest has developed high levels of resistance to insecticides, making host plant resistance a worthwhile option for controlling this infamous herbivore. Pigeonpea is one of the preferred hosts of the herbivore, and several crop improvement programs are being executed to control this pest. Plants implement defense responses through effective reallocation of resources, involving a complex network of regulators, signals, and molecules. Chewing herbivores activate plant defense responses through mechanical wounding and elicitation by herbivore-associated molecular patterns (HAMPs) derived from small molecules and proteins. During herbivory, insect oral secretions carry HAMPs that elicit defense in plants through specific recognition by the plant immune system. There have been no studies to elucidate the identity and mode of action of HAMPs in plants that interact with H. armigera. In this study, the aim is to categorically delineate HAMP-elicited plant immune response in the wild relative C. scarabaeoides against H. armigera through molecular and biochemical approaches. The findings will provide evidence for the structured framework of gene regulation in the defense response triggered by herbivory in the wild relative of pigeonpea for better management of the devastating herbivore.