ARS | Publication request: INSECT MANAGEMENT FOR REDUCTION OF MYCOTOXINS IN MIDWEST CORN FY-2001 REPORT

Submitted to: Aflatoxin Elimination Workshop Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: October 26, 2001
Publication Date: March 1, 2002
Citation: DOWD, P.F., BARTELT, R.J., BECK, J.J., BARNETT, J., BERHOW, M.A., DUVICK, J.P., LAGRIMINI, M.L., MOLID, G., WHITE, D.G. INSECT MANAGEMENT FOR REDUCTION OF MYCOTOXINS IN MIDWEST CORN FY-2001 REPORT. AFLATOXIN ELIMINATION WORKSHOP PROCEEDINGS. 2002.

Technical Abstract: Host plant resistance to insects and pathogens is generally recognized as desirable for growers and is environmentally benign, but numbers and methods of deployment of resistance genes remain unsettled. Examination of known resistance genes from a functional standpoint suggests that they may be more effectively deployed if genes from particular functional classes are used. Multigenic resistance is generally accepted as more stable, but the gene products originally developed by the plants having different functions may not be effectively inhibiting pests, or inhibiting them in such a manner that they need to be explored functionally to understand their role. For example, maize resistance to insects theoretically involves (based on allelochemical or protein presence and function) composition of attractive esters and alcohols, leaf color and texture, breaking down barriers to compound penetration (chitinases, lipases, proteases), degradation of protein toxins (proteases), inhibition of pest nutrition (lectins, protease and amylase inhibitors), and acute cytotoxins (ribosomal inactivating proteins). The potential activity and role of these defensive mechanisms can be better determined using unadapted insects (such as the cabbage looper). From a pharmacological standpoint, increasing the number of acute toxins may not be effective if there are penetration or stability problems; adding chitinases or protease inhibitors should be considered in these cases.