Host plant resistance to thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) - current state of art and future research avenues

Abstract

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is endorsed as the future standard for crop protection worldwide. This holistic concept integrates preventative and curative measures amongst which host plant resistance (HPR) plays an essential role. Up to now HPR has been a somewhat under-utilized tool in pest management due to widespread use of pesticides and technological hindrance. Thrips are key pests in agriculture and horticulture worldwide. Here we provide an overview on the current status of research on constitutive and induced HPR including thrips-host relationships and thrips as virus vectors. We stress modulation of plant defense responses by abiotic and biotic elicitors to increase HPR and provide an outlook on the increasing potential of HPR inspired by the fast advancement of -omics techniques.