Genetics of Pest Resistance Earn Graduate Thesis Award

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A University of Arkansas graduate will receive the 2006 Conference of Southern Graduate Schools Thesis/EDT Thesis Award for his research examining pest resistance in tomatoes.

William Cooper, who received his master’s degree in entomology from the university in 2004, discovered some fundamental properties of inherited and acquired genes that can be applied to the area of pest management.

“What he did was a critical step toward understanding the physiology of plant resistance -how plants defend themselves,” said Fiona Goggin, an assistant professor in the department of entomology and Cooper’s research adviser.

The research is focused on two pests that damage the quantity and quality of marketable tomatoes, the root-knot nematode and the potato aphid.

“The goal of the research was to look at potential reactions in forms of pest resistance in tomatoes,” Cooper said.

Scientists know that a resistance gene found in tomatoes called Mi-1.2 affects both of these pests. However, there are some setbacks from this gene, such as that its resistance is less effective at higher temperatures.

Cooper’s research suggests that acquired resistance would enhance the resistance in tomatoes. Acquired resistance, unlike genetic resistance, is only activated with insect feeding or with the application of a chemical elicitor.

“Resistant tomato varieties are widely used in pest management already,” Cooper said. “Now, applying chemical elicitors in the field before the insect begins to feed, would provide a more effective, environmentally safe pest management program.”

Cooper’s research also examined the interactions between acquired resistance and genetic resistance. Researchers had previously thought that the acquired resistance would negate the inherited resistance found in the Mi-1.2 gene. Cooper’s research shows the opposite to be true. 

“Actually, the acquired resistance will enhance resistance in the gene,” he said.

This research can help better utilize both genetic and acquired resistance in developing integrated pest management.

Before studying at the University of Arkansas, Cooper worked in biological research for the United States Department of Agriculture. Cooper is now at the University of Kentucky working on a doctorate in entomology. He is currently working to apply acquired resistance mechanisms toward the restoration of the American chestnut.

“Arkansas introduced me to plant and insect interaction,” Cooper said. “That’s what really interests me, and that’s what I really want to stay with.”

Cooper will receive the Thesis/EDT Thesis Award later this month at the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools 35th annual meeting in Little Rock, Ark. The Conference of Southern Graduate Schools is an organization of more than 200 graduate schools in the southern region of the United States. The conference's purpose is to consider topics relating to graduate study and research that are of mutual interest and concern to the member institutions.

Every member school could nominate one student in the area of life sciences. Cooper was nominated by the University of Arkansas and then selected from among the nominees.

“Cooper was competing with a large group of students in a very broad area of research,” said Goggin. “Everyone in the department was very proud that he was able to win this award.”

For more information about the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools, visit www.csgs.org.