Effect of zinc and glucosinolates on nutritional quality of Noccaea caerulescens and infestation by Aleyrodes proletella

The Zn hyperaccumulating plant, Noccaea caerulescens, was grown under controlled conditions at a range of Zn concentrations (0-1000 mg kg− 1 dwt. soil) to determine the effectiveness of hyperaccumulation in deterring the cabbage whitefly, Aleyrodes proletella, and to establish the relationship between levels of foliar Zn and glucosinolates (organic defence compounds). Two weeks after introducing A. proletella adults to the plants, next generation nymphs were quantified. This sucking insect caused minimal damage to plant tissue and did not affect foliar glucosinolate levels. Foliar Zn concentrations increased with increasing soil Zn application and reached a maximum of ~ 7000 mg kg− 1. More whitefly nymphs were observed on plants as the foliar Zn concentration increased (up to ~ 3000 mg kg− 1) after which numbers declined. Zn was an explanatory variable in accumulated generalised linear regression after the variation in the data due to C/N ratio had been accounted for. Nymph numbers declined with increasing C/N ratio and increased with increasing N concentration. The highest glucosinolate concentrations were in shoots with the lowest Zn concentrations; this is consistent with the 'trade-off' hypothesis which states that elemental defence mechanisms allow for lowered organic defences.