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HOST PLANT RESISTANCE IN MAIZE

(Ent-608, Advanced Host Plant Resistance) Presented by, Navik, O. S. Reg. No. 146 Department of Agril. Entomology

Course teacher,

Dr. A.L. Narangalkar Head, Department of Agril Entomology

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Introduction
Maize suffers damage from a large number of insect Insects are a particularly acute problem in tropical regions. Genetic differences in the host plant response of maize varieties through biochemical and biophysical basis of resistance against insect Transgenic maize

Resistance?
Resistance is a relative property, based on the comparative reaction
of resistant and susceptible plants, grown under similar conditions, to the pest insect.

Host plant resistance of Maize based on

1. 2. Allelochemical Morphological Mechanisms

I. Allelochemical
Benzoxazinoids

Phenolic Acids and Cell Wall Components

II. Defense-Related Proteins

Maize Proteinase Inhibitor and Cysteine Proteinase Maize Ribosome-inactivating Proteins

III. Genetics of Insect Resistance in Maize

Maysin

Benzoxazinoids
Natural benzoxazinoids were discovered in 1960 in rye when resistance against fungi was investigated. It is predominantly found in genera of the Gramineae. In maize, it is the methoxy derivative, DIMBOA that present. DIMBOA-glucoside content in corn seedlings can reach

concentrations up to 10 mmoles per kg of fresh weight.

DIMBOA

is

an

enzyme

inhibitor

of

chymotrypsin,

aphid

cholinesterase and plasma membrane H + -ATPase.

The first brood of the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) (ECB) is controlled by high levels of the benzoxazinoid DIMBOA in

seedlings and young plants

(McMullen et al.,2009)

2. Phenolic Acids and Cell Wall Components

These compounds are implicated in two defense concepts, Act as deterrent and strengthen the cell wall as mechanical barrier by producing ferulic and coumaric. E.g. ECB maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais), pink stalk borer (Sesamia nonagrioide) The phenolic acid esters chlorogenic acid and the C-glycosyl flavone

maysin have been implicated as antibiosis to corn earworm (Helicoverpa

zea).

2. Maize Ribosome-inactivating Proteins

Maize Rip is a Opaque-2 -regulated protein associated with endosperm development. Maize opaque-2 line shows deficiency against insects. increased insect susceptibility with

of RIP suggestions that RIP can play a defensive role

The activated RIP protein is relatively stable to digestion by

caterpillar.

This finding provides support for the assumption that maize RIP plays a role in resistance to maize-feeding insects.

(McMullen et al.,2009)

II. Defense-Related Proteins 1. Maize Proteinase Inhibitor and Cysteine Proteinase

Cordero et al. (1994) - was described a maize protease inhibitor gene. Protease inhibitors are synthesized and stored in seeds and tubers or response to mechanical wounding and insect damage. MPI efficiently inhibits elastase and chymotrypsin-like activities from the larval midgut of Spodoptera littoralis. Hence, MPI is a factor of maize insect resistance to Lepidoptera in tropical germplasm of maize.

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Genetics of Insect Resistance in Maize

Maysin The level of maysin in maize silks in 23-day-old silks is generally in the range of 0.20.8% silk fresh weight and a very impressive accumulation

for a secondary metabolite helpful to control the Corn earworm.

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II. Plant Morphology

Several types of morphological defenses in maize varieties deter insect feeding and oviposition. The increased leaf, stem silica content and tight husked maize ears contribute to European corn borer resistance in maize. Maize varieties with reduced trichome density and delayed development of pubescence have been shown to be less preferred for oviposition by corn earworm and are resistant to larval feeding. Some maize verities have higher hemicellulose and crude fiber content than susceptible inbred lines.

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Morphological defenses of insect resistant maize

Defense
Dense surface waxes High fiber, dense Vascular bundles High hemicellulose,

Insect(s) affected
Southwestern corn borer, Fall armyworm European corn borer Fall armyworm Southwestern corn borer

Thick cuticle
Low trichome density Silica Tight husks

Sugarcane borer
Corn earworm European corn borer Corn earworm, Maize weevil

(CIMMYT,2005) 13

CryIA(b) Gene in Transgenic Maize Confers

Resistance to European corn borer
For control of European corn borer introduced a truncated form of the cryIA(b) gene obtained from Bacillus thuringiensis into an elite line of maize which expressing a endotoxin. The expression of the cryIA(b) gene was targeted to the pollen, pith

and green tissues by using appropriate tissue specific promoters.

The resulting transgenic maize plants were evaluated for resistance to European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis, under field conditions.

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Transformation Technology
For maize transformation ballistic and protoplast transformation methods used successful recovery of fertile transformed maize plants.

In the ballistic method - microscopic tungsten particles coated with foreign

DNA are forcefully propelled through the cell wall into the cytoplasm and nuclei of cells.

In the protoplast method, the cell walls are first removed. Then the cell
membrane becomes readily permeable to foreign DNA. Movement of foreign DNA through the cell membrane is facilitated either by applying an electrical current (electroporation) or adding Polyethylene Glycol (PEG).

Foreign DNA in solution surrounding the cells passes through the cell membrane, with some of it being incorporated into the nuclei of cells.

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Plant transformation method - Ballistic method and Protoplast method

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Thank You
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