Study of the mechanisms and protein expression associated with the resistance of eleven eggplant genotypes to Tetranychus urticae

Two spotted Spider mite is the most important polyphagous pest which causes considerable damage to different crops including eggplant annually. Nowadays, using different integrated control methods against the spider mites is one of the most appropriate ways to reduce pesticides use and increase agriculture safety which can be achieved through selecting resistant varieties. In this study, the antixenosis and tolerance mechanisms of 11 genotypes of eggplant were investigated in a greenhouse with temperature fluctuations between day and night ranging from 18 to 27˚C in the form of a completely randomized design with three replicates. Also, protein expression in different genotypes was evaluated using SDS-PAGE and the relationship between protein expression and the number of spider mites attracted to each species was analyzed by the antixenosis test. To determine the correlation between greenhouse traits and molecular data, the Mantel test was used. The hierarchical grouping method of the ward was used to classify genotypes traits which led to four clusters of resistant (Borazjan, Yalda and Linda), moderately resistant (Black beauty, Lady and Mahali-Zabol), moderately susceptible (905 Emami, Kime and Blacky) and susceptible (Siahe-Mashhad and Lima). Results clarified that Borazjan, Linda and Yalda genotypes could be considered as potential T. urticae resistant genotypes and be examined in further experiments.