Data_Sheet_2_Bamboo charcoal mediated plant secondary metabolites biosynthesis in tomato against South American tomato pinworm (Tuta absoluta).xlsx

IntroductionThe south American tomato pinworm (Tuta absoluta), an invasive insect pest species, has established itself in more than 33 Chinese prefectures, where it is mainly damaging tomato crops. Immediate efforts have been initiated to find strategies to control this pest. Studies have shown that biochar (BC) amendment to soil can enhance plant growth and resistance to herbivory.
MethodsFirst, we quantified the morphological performance of tomato plants grown in different coconut bran and bamboo charcoal (v/v) combinations and selected the most beneficial one. Then we checked the T. absoluta survival on the tomato plants grown in the selected bamboo charcoal combination. Finally, we studied the leaf metabolite accumulation and gene expression changes in tomato plants after growing in the selected bamboo charcoal combination.
ResultsWe found that the 30:1 ratio of bamboo charcoal and coconut bran is the most beneficial to tomato growth as its amendment to soil increased tomato plant height, stem thickness, and chlorophyll content, whereas, the T. absoluta survival decreased. The metabolome profiles of BC tomato leaves showed an increased accumulation of flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic acids compared to CK. Transcriptome sequencing resulted in the identification of 244 differentially expressed genes. Most of the upregulated genes were associated with stress-related hub proteins, flavonoid biosynthesis, MAPK and phytohormone signaling, and terpenoid biosynthesis. Additionally, the expression of many genes related to signaling and defense was changed in response to the bamboo charcoal amendment.
DiscussionWe conclude that bamboo charcoal induces biosynthesis of flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic acids, which improve plant growth and tolerance against T. absoluta, thus reducing the survival of destructive pests.

引言
南美番茄潜叶蛾（Tuta absoluta）是一种入侵性害虫，现已在我国33个以上行政区域定殖，主要为害番茄作物。针对该害虫的防控策略研究已即刻启动。已有研究表明，向土壤施加生物炭（biochar，BC）可促进植物生长并增强其对植食性昆虫的抗性。

方法
首先，我们量化了不同椰糠与竹炭体积比（v/v）配比基质中生长的番茄植株的形态表现，筛选出最优配比组合。随后，检测了在该优选竹炭配比基质中栽培的番茄植株上的南美番茄潜叶蛾存活率。最后，分析了在该优选竹炭配比基质中生长的番茄植株的叶片代谢物积累与基因表达变化情况。

结果
研究发现，竹炭与椰糠按30:1的体积比配比为最优组合，向土壤施加该配比基质可提升番茄株高、茎粗与叶绿素含量，同时降低南美番茄潜叶蛾的存活率。与对照组（CK）相比，施加生物炭的番茄叶片代谢组谱显示类黄酮、萜类化合物与酚酸的积累量显著升高。通过转录组测序共鉴定得到244个差异表达基因，其中大部分上调基因与胁迫相关核心蛋白、类黄酮生物合成、丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（MAPK）与植物激素信号转导以及萜类生物合成密切相关。此外，诸多与信号转导及防御反应相关的基因表达量均因竹炭施加处理发生了显著改变。

讨论
本研究表明，竹炭可诱导类黄酮、萜类化合物与酚酸的生物合成，进而促进番茄生长并提升其对南美番茄潜叶蛾的耐受性，最终降低该毁灭性害虫的存活率。