Acibenzolar-S-methyl induces resistance against ambrosia beetle attacks in dogwoods exposed to simulated flood stress

Xylosandrus spp. ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) are important wood-boring pests of nursery trees weakened by abiotic and biotic stressors. Acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM), a plant defense elicitor, was tested for inhibiting Xylosandrus spp. tunneling (i.e., attacks) into flood-stressed flowering dogwoods (Cornus florida L. (Cornales: Cornaceae)). Container-grown dogwoods were treated with ASM substrate drench + flooding, ASM foliar spray + flooding, ASM drench + no flooding, ASM foliar + no flooding, no ASM + flooding, or no ASM + no flooding at 3 days before flood stress in a completely randomized design under field conditions. Trees were flooded for 14 days and then drained and watered as needed. Attacks were counted every 2 days for 28 days. Plant tissue samples were collected at 7 and 14 days after flooding to determine ethanol content using solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Trees were dissected to determine gallery formation and depth, fungal colonization, and the presence of eggs, larvae, and adults. The highest number of Xylosandrus beetle species attacks were recorded from plants exposed to no ASM + flooding, but attacks were reduced in ASM treated trees (drench or foliar) + flooding. Trees treated with drenches had fewer attacks than foliar sprays. Plants assigned to no flood had the fewest beetle attacks. Moreover, ASM reduced Xylosandrus spp. gallery formation and depth, fungal colonization, and presence of eggs, larvae, and adults. All flooded trees produced ethanol. In conclusion, ASM induced a plant defense response to Xylosandrus spp. tunneling in dogwoods under flood stress conditions.