Unveiling the Regulatory Mechanisms of Irradiation Response in Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi Under Hypoxic Conditions

Li Li, Changyao Shan, Qiang Xu, Baishu Li, Haijun Liu () and Tao Liu ()
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Li Li: Institute of Equipment Technology, Chinese Academy of Quality and Inspection & Testing, No. A3, Gaobeidianbeilu, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100123, China
Changyao Shan: Institute of Equipment Technology, Chinese Academy of Quality and Inspection & Testing, No. A3, Gaobeidianbeilu, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100123, China
Qiang Xu: Guangzhou Customs District Technology Center, Guangzhou 510623, China
Baishu Li: Institute of Equipment Technology, Chinese Academy of Quality and Inspection & Testing, No. A3, Gaobeidianbeilu, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100123, China
Haijun Liu: Guangzhou Customs District Technology Center, Guangzhou 510623, China
Tao Liu: Institute of Equipment Technology, Chinese Academy of Quality and Inspection & Testing, No. A3, Gaobeidianbeilu, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100123, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 20, 1-16

Abstract: Mealybugs are high-priority quarantine pests in fresh-produce trade due to cryptic habits, broad host ranges, and market-access risks. Phytosanitary irradiation (PI) provides a non-residual, process-controlled option that is increasingly integrated with modified-atmosphere (MA/MAP) logistics. Because molecular oxygen enhances indirect radiation damage (oxygen enhancement ratio, OER), oxygen limitation may modulate PI outcomes in mealybugs. The Jack Beardsley mealybug ( Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi ) has an IPPC-adopted PI treatment of 166 Gy (ISPM 28, PT 45). We exposed adult females to 166 Gy under air and 1% O 2 and generated whole-transcriptome profiles across treatments. Differentially expressed genes and co-differentially expressed genes (co-DEGs) were integrated with protein–protein interaction (PPI) and regulatory networks, and ten hubs were validated by reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Hypoxia attenuated irradiation-induced transcriptional disruption. Expression programs shifted toward transport, redox buffering, and immune readiness, while morphogen signaling (Wnt, Hedgehog, BMP) was coherently suppressed; hubs including wg, hh, dpp, and ptc showed stronger down-regulation under hypoxia + irradiation than under irradiation alone. Despite these molecular differences, confirmatory bioassays at 166 Gy under both atmospheres (air and 1% O 2 ) achieved complete control. These results clarify how oxygen limitation modulates PI responses in a quarantine mealybug while confirming the operational efficacy of the prescribed 166 Gy dose. Practically, they support the current international standard and highlight the value of documenting oxygen atmospheres and managing dose margins when PI is applied within MA/MAP supply chains.

Keywords: phytosanitary irradiation; modified atmosphere (MA/MAP); Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi; hypoxia/oxygen limitation; transcriptome analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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