Tissue-specific volatile-mediated defense regulation in maize leaves and roots

SUMMARYPlant leaves that are exposed to herbivore induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) respond by increasing their defenses. Whether this phenomenon also occurs in the roots is unknown.Using maize (Zea mays), whose leaves respond strongly to leaf HIPVs, we measured the impact of root HIPVs, emanating from plants infested by the banded cucumber beetle (Diabrotica balteata), on constitutive and herbivore-induced levels of root soluble sugars, starch, total soluble proteins, free amino acids, volatile and non-volatile secondary metabolites, defense gene expression, growth and root herbivore resistance of neighboring plants.HIPV exposure did not alter constitutive or induced levels of any of the measured root traits. Furthermore, HIPV exposure did not reduce the performance and survival of banded cucumber beetle larvae on maize or teosinte. Cross-exposure experiments revealed that maize roots, in contrast to maize leaves, neither emit nor respond strongly to defense-regulating HIPVs.Together, these results demonstrate that volatile-mediated defense regulation is restricted to the leaves of maize and teosinte, a finding which is in line with the lower diffusibility of volatiles in the soil and the availability of other, potentially more efficient information conduits below ground.

Synthesis of (6R,12R)-6,12-Dimethylpentadecan-2-one, the Female-Produced Sex Pheromone from Banded Cucumber Beetle Diabrotica balteata, Based on a Chiron Approach

Herein we describe a synthesis of (6 R,12 R)-6,12-dimethylpentadecan-2-one (5), the female produced sex pheromone of banded cucumber beetle Diabrotica balteata Le Conte, from ( R)-4-methyl-δ-valerolactone, a methyl-branched chiron.

Host Plant Resistance in Valmaine Cos Lettuce to the Banded Cucumber Beetle

Host plant resistance is a key element in a viable integrated pest management plan. Resistance to plant feeding was observed on Valmaine cos lettuce, Lactuca sativa L. to the banded cucumber beetle (BCB), Diabotica balteata (LeConte). In no-choice feeding evaluations, adult BCB contained on three week old Valmaine plants gained less weight, died and fed less than individuals contained on susceptible Tall Guzmaine cos lettuce. Individual female BCB held on Valmaine plants also did not have egg development as in those individual held on Tall Guzmaine. Based on weight gain and feeding damage F1, F2, and F3 segregation data indicates that the resistance factor is recessive in inheritance and controlled by more that one gene.