Fig. 4: Exposure to viruliferous leafhoppers for 12 h triggering H₂O₂ burst in rice plants.

a, b Exposure to viruliferous leafhoppers for 12 h causing limited effect on the content of JA and SA a as well as the expression of genes related to JA, SA, and ethylene b, as determined by mass spectrometer and RT-qPCR assays. c Exposure to viruliferous leafhoppers inducing H₂O₂ burst and metabolism in rice plants, as determined by the content of H₂O₂ and MDA, as well as the activity of CAT and POD. Data in a–c are shown from 1 rice seedling exposed to 30 nonviruliferous or viruliferous leafhoppers. d and e Exposure to viruliferous leafhoppers increasing H₂O₂ accumulation at feeding holes, as determined by DAB or H2DCFDA staining. One leaf of a rice seedling exposed to 5 nonviruliferous or viruliferous leafhoppers for 12 h was tested. The mean number of feeding holes per cm² of leaves are shown in e. Bars, 200 μm. f Viruliferous leafhoppers encountering difficulty in feeding, as determined by EPG technique. Each nonviruliferous or viruliferous leafhopper was continuously and electrically recorded during 3-hour feeding periods. V + , viruliferous. V-, nonviruliferous. Data in a, b, c and e represent at least 3 biological replicates. Data in f represent 13 valid biological replicates. Means ( ± SD) in a, b, c, e, and f are analyzed using two-tailed t-test. Ns, not significant.