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ARS Home » Midwest Area » St. Paul, Minnesota » Plant Science Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #253358
Title: Cell Wall Composition as a Maize Defense Mechanism Against Corn Borers

Author
item BARROS-RIOS, JAIME - Consejo Superior De Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC)
item MALVAR, ROSA - Consejo Superior De Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC)
item Jung, Hans Joachim
item SANTIAGO, ROGELIO - Consejo Superior De Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC)

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2010
Publication Date: 7/25/2010
Citation: Barros-Rios, J., Malvar, R.A., Jung, H.G., Santiago, R. 2010. Cell Wall Composition as a Maize Defense Mechanism Against Corn Borers [abstract]. XII Cell Wall Meeting, July 25-30, 2010, Porto, Portugal. p. 23.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: European and Mediterranean corn borers (Ostrinia nubilalis Hubner and Sesamia nonagrioides Lefebvre) are two of the most economically important insect pests of maize in North America and southern Europe, respectively. Cell wall structure and composition were evaluated in pith tissues of diverse inbred lines as possible resistance traits. Cell wall polysaccharide and lignin concentration and composition, cell wall bound forms of hydroxycinnamic acids, and 24-h and 96-h in vitro rumen degradabilities were measured. Resistant inbred lines had significantly higher concentrations of total cell wall material than susceptible lines, indicating that thickness of cell walls could be the initial barrier against corn borer larvae attack. In addition, higher concentrations of xylose and 8-O-4' diferulate esters were found in the resistant group. Stem tunneling by corn borers was negatively correlated with 8-5'b and 5-5' diferulates and p-coumarate esters. Neither 24- nor 96-h in vitro rumen degradabilities were correlated with corn borer damage. Cell wall concentration, polysaccharide composition, and cross linking by diferulates appeared to be possible mechanisms of corn borer resistance; on the other hand, corn borer resistance was not associated with reduced rumen degradability.