4.7. Plant Growth Conditions and Insects

Tomato seeds (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Floradade, Crown Seeds, Homestead, FL, USA) were germinated in peat moss until 3–4 leaves were presented. Then, tomato seedlings were transplanted into 1.5 L pots containing peat moss and perlite (70:30 v/v). The plants were watered every three days and fertilized once a week with 20N-20P-20K and microelements solution (FertiDrip, Agrodelta, Monterrey, Mexico). All plants were maintained under greenhouse conditions at 28 ± 2 °C with relative humidity (RH) = 45% and regularly monitored until they reached 6 to 7 fully extended leaves before bioassays.

The tomato psyllids (Bactericera cockerelli) CaLso-positive were reared on tomato plants under greenhouse conditions [31] to induce infestation. Control plants were kept separated to avoid infestation.