Exploring new herbicide targets based on natural product derivatives is an important research aspect for the generation of innovative pesticides. Ferulic acid ethyl ester (FAEE), a natural product derivative from ferulic acid, has significant herbicidal activity mainly by inhibiting the normal growth of weed seedling roots. However, the FAEE target protein underlying its herbicidal activity has not been identified. In this study, we synthesized an FAEE probe to locate its site of action. We discovered that FAEE entry point was via the root tips. Fourteen major binding proteins were identified using Drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) combined with LC-MS/MS, which included 3-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase I (KAS I) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase I (PAL I). The KAS I and PAL I proteins/genes expression was changed significantly after exposure to FAEE, as evidenced by combined transcriptomic and proteomic analysis. A molecular docking assay indicated that KAS I and FAEE had a strong binding ability. Combined with previous studies on FAEE mechanism of action, and based on our results, we conclude that FAEE targeting KAS I lead to the blockage of the fatty acid synthesis pathway and result in plant death.

No abstract

Background Aphids are significant pests of cash crops and food farm crops. Botanical insecticides are safe for aphid control, especially for organic farming. In this study, Eleocharis dulcis (Burm. f.) Trin. peel extract (EDPE), a new botanical insecticide, was investigated for its active compositions against several agricultural aphids. Results The results showed that the EDPE had high insecticidal activity against Sitobion avenae Fabricius, Aphis gossypii Glover, Megoura crassicauda Mordvilko, and Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris, with half‐lethal concentration (LC50) values of 95.92, 81.04, 140.31, and 255.73 mg/L after 48 h of treatment. In the pot culture assay, the aphicidal effects of 25% EDPE soluble liquid (SL) at a concentration of 0.016% were 68.98 ± 5.61%, 79.33 ± 8.27%, and 88.82 ± 3.91% after the first, third, and seventh days of treatment, respectively. Nine compounds were identified by bioactivity‐directed fractionation: 4',5'‐dimethoxy‐6,6‐dimethylpyranoisoflavone (1), 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxylonchocarpin (2), 4‐hydroxylonchocarpin (3), 4‐methoxylonchocarpin (4), barbigerone (5), lonchocarpusone (6), 6a,12a‐dehydrodeguelin (7), 13‐homo‐13‐oxa‐6a, 12a‐dehydrodeguelin (8) and deguelin (9). Among them, 4‐hydroxylonchocarpin (3) showed the highest aphidicidal activity against M. crassicauda, S. avenae, and A. pisum, with LC50 values of 97.24, 140.63, and 112.31 mg/L, respectively. Conclusion These data contribute to a better understanding of the aphicidal activity of EDPE and its main component, 4‐hydroxylonchocarpin. This will help to develop new botanical insecticides to contro aphids. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

No abstract

Aphids are significant pests of the cash crops and food farm crops. Botanical insecticides are safe for aphid control, especially in organic agriculture. In this study, Eleocharis dulcis peel extract (EDPE), a new botanical insecticide, was investigated for its active compositions against several agricultural aphids. The results showed that the EDPE had high insecticidal activity against Sitobion avenae, Aphis gossypii, Megoura crassicauda, and Acyrthosiphon pisum, with the half lethal concentration (LC50) values of 95.92, 81.04, 140.31, and 255.73 mg/L after 48 h treatment. In the pot culture assay, the aphicidal effects of 25% EDPE soluble liquid (SL) at a concentration of 0.016% were 68.98%, 79.33%, and 88.82% after the 1st, 3rd, and 7th days of treatment, respectively. Nine compounds were identified by bioactivity-directed fractionation, which was dimethoxy-6, 6-dimethylpyranoisoflavone (1), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxylonchocarpin (2), 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (3), 4-methoxylonchocarpin (4), barbigerone (5), lonchocarpusone (6), 6a, 12a-dehydrodeguelin (7), 13-homo-13-oxa-6a,12a-dehydrodeguelin (8) and deguelin (9). Among them, 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (3) showed the highest aphidicidal activity against M. crassicauda, S. avenae, and A. pisum, with the LC50 values of 97.24, 140.63, and 112.31 mg/L, respectively. Therefore, EDPE and its major component 4-hydroxylonchocarpin are probably used as new botanical insecticides to control aphids.