Higher expression of induced defenses in teosintes (Zea spp.) is correlated with greater resistance to fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda

• DOI: 10.1111/eea.12014
• Publication Date: 2012-12-04T19:54:46Z
• Authors: Adrianna Szczepaniec; Sarah E. Widney; Julio S. Bernal; Micky D. Eubanks
• Keywords: Pathogenesis-related protein; Fall armyworm

Abstract Selection for plant traits important agriculture can come at a high cost to defenses. While selecting increased growth rate and yield, domestication subsequent breeding may lead weakened defenses greater susceptibility of plants herbivores. We tested whether expression defense genes differed among maize, Z ea mays ssp. L . ( P oaceae), its wild relatives parviglumis I ltis & D oebley diploperennis et al. used two populations : one expected express levels an herbivore resistance gene, wound‐inducible protein wip1 ), another have low To test maize in induction against S podoptera frugiperda mith) epidoptera: N octuidae), we quantified several involved defense: , protease inhibitor mpi pathogenesis‐related PR ‐1 chitinase Moreover, compared growth, development, survival caterpillars on plants. found that expressed all but the when attacked by caterpillars, whereas induced levels. Expression particular, was much Z. population naturally with 29‐fold higher than herbivore‐free Elevated correlated caterpillars. Larvae were 15–20% smaller developed 20% slower, only 22% them survived pupation Our results suggest has inadvertently reduced it is likely other associated play role this reduction resistance.