To tolerate drought or resist aphids? A new challenge to plant science is on the horizon

Abstract

Aphids are important herbivorous insects that can cause significantcrop damage, leading to yield reduction and economic loss. One avenue beingexplored to reduce aphid impacts is the development of aphid-resistant plants.Under projected climate scenarios, it is expected that plants will be exposedto greater biotic and abiotic stress, including increased herbivorous insectinfestation and exposure to prolonged periods of environmental stress,particularly drought. In response to these projections, plant–aphidinteractions under drought conditions have been a subject of growing interest;however, few studies have looked at the impact of drought stress on plantresistance to aphids despite the potential importance for plant breeding. Here,we examine the latest scientific advances regarding variation in plantresistance to aphids under drought, emphasizing underlying mechanisms andfunctional trade-offs and propose a conceptual model relating plant toleranceto drought with plant resistance to aphids.