20.500.12556/RUL-175874 Defense dynamics in walnut (Juglans regia L.) fruit during walnut husk fly (Rhagoletis completa Cresson) infestation an integrative, multi-level analysis The walnut husk fly (WHF) is a critical pest affecting global walnut production, causing economic losses of up to 80%. WHF larvae feed within the walnut husk, creating necrotic spots, which compromise kernel quality and marketability. In this research, the metabolic response of the walnut fruit was addressed for the first time in an integrative, multi-level analysis, which included several primary and secondary metabolites, enzymes, and antioxidant activities by using LC-MS, GC-MS, and different spectrophotometric methods. Results revealed localized and tissue-specific metabolic responses, with significant changes up to 200% in volatiles and phenolics, especially naphthoquinones and sesquiterpenes, as well as enzyme activities. Additionally, prolonged infestations severely affected kernel quality by reducing the content of unsaturated fatty acids and carotenoids by 60–70%, potentially due to oxidative stress and arrested fruit growth. Understanding these defense mechanisms is essential to mitigate economic losses and food waste, ensuring sustainable walnut production through targeted interventions and improved pre- and post-harvest treatments. They are also fundamental for future decisions on pheromone-based management of WHF, as well as for breeding efforts or pest control programs oriented to the enhancement of the natural plant defense mechanisms. sugars fatty acids kernel husk phenolics volatiles oreh škodljivci rastlin Rhagoletis completa okužba obramba rastline sladkorji maščobne kisline fenolne spojine true false true Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik Članek v reviji 2025-11-12 08:16:13 2025-11-12 08:16:21 2025-12-15 04:12:58 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2025 0 0 16 str. art. 1531 Vol. 25 2025 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno apc 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 634.5 1471-2229 10.1186/s12870-025-07552-0 256795139 s12870-025-07552-0.pdf s12870-025-07552-0.pdf 1 E0C6DC035F2A83DC9C1A57679C68D9D7 b8d9498911da08b80f2af830675ca19c5fc0f1bee083858d4ec972f7fd86c3e6 b8232fc4-bf97-11f0-9328-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=221798 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12870-025-07552-0?utm_source=rct_congratemailt&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=oa_20251110&utm_content=10.1186%2Fs12870-025-07552-0#citeas 1 29d99b7f-bf97-11f0-9328-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=221797 Biotehniška fakulteta 0 0 0