Antixenosis mechanism associating with protein electrophoresis pattern in some eggplant genotypes under stress of onion thrips infestation, Thrips tabaci (Thys.: Thripidae)

Onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman, is one of the most common and important pests of agricultural products including eggplant. In present study, we investigated the mechanism of antixenosis, trichomes density and chlorophyll content of 10 eggplant genotypes (Black beauty, Blacky, Yalda, Lady, Linda, Lyma, Kyme, Borazjan, Siah-Mashhad and Mahali-Zabol) to the thrips in festationin a selection test . Experiments were performed in a greenhouse at 25 ±1°C, 65 ± 5 RH and 16L: 8D photoperiod. Total protein of the cultivars was isolated and electrophoresed using SDS-PAGE to determine the protein-electrophoresis pattern and its relation to the quantity of attracted thrips. Protein-electrophoresis showed differences in the number and type of the protein bands which are related to the variation among the cultivars in which the thrips-resistant cultivars can be used in the inbreeding programs. The genotypes were significantly different in terms of trichome densities and chlorophyll content as well as thrips-mediated damage percentage. There was no significant correlation between morphological attributions and molecular data. We believe that Lima and Linda genotypes, with highest genetic distance (0.454), can be successfully used in cross breeding programs, although complementary tests are required to improve the efficiency of the programs.