ABSTRACT. This experiment was carried out in order to evaluate the effect of Sitophilus zeamais on physical, physiological and sanitary quality of stored corn. Samples of 500 g of the hybrid OC-705, in three replicates, were conditioned in glasses covered with a screened lid, and kept in chamber at 25±2ºC, 70±5% RH and 12 h of photophase, for 150 days. The infestation levels were 0, 5, 15 and 50 adults/replicate, for the storage periods of 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days. The moisture content, classification, weight loss, germination and internal infestation were evaluated monthly. Significant inverse correlations were verified between the number of insects and both the germination and the weight loss; also between the internal infestation and the germination and the standard type. The presence of S. zeamais showed a positive correlation with the weight loss, what means that the internal and external infestations contribute to the reduction of physiological and physical quality of corn seeds. The mean dry matter loss was 0,36%/day, corresponding to a consumption of 0,0001%/insect/month. As the result of those damages, the product suffered reduction of the commercial grade in 30 days, with significant loss in all quality factors.

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Neotropical Entomology 34(3): 443-450 (2005) Amylase Inhibitors in Corn Hybrids as a Resistance Factor to Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)ABSTRACT -Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky is one of the major pests of stored corn and it is mainly controlled by insecticides. However, due to the undesirable consequences of chemicals on the environment and human health other control measures have been investigated, especially the development of resistant plants. The presence of amylase inhibitors in corn kernels may interfere with the insect digestive process. This research was developed in order to evaluate resistance of corn hybrids to the attack of S. zeamais correlated with amylase inhibitors and nutritional composition of corn kernels. Adults of the maize weevil were exposed to grain samples of different corn hybrids at 27 ± 1°C and 75 ± 5% R.H. Biology, susceptibility index and grain consumption were evaluated. The results were correlated to the grain components (moisture content, ashes, lipids, proteins and carbohydrates) and with the amylase inhibitor activity. The amylase inhibitor activity was determined by incubating the amylase inhibitor with 0.2 units of amylase for 30 min at 25°C, and measuring the residual amylase activity determined by the iodine method. From the nutritional parameters evaluated, only the lipid content correlated significantly with the susceptibility index (r = 0.46). The amylase inhibitors obtained by the extraction with either ethanol or buffer were significantly and negatively correlated with the susceptibility index (r = -0.58), indicating that the inhibitors contribute to the resistance of corn hybrids to the attack of S. zeamais.KEY WORDS: Insecta, maize weevil, plant resistance, stored corn RESUMO -Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky é uma das principais pragas do milho armazenado, sendo controlado, principalmente, com inseticidas. Porém, devido às conseqüências indesejáveis desses químicos sobre o meio ambiente e a saúde humana, outras táticas de controle têm sido investigadas, especialmente o desenvolvimento de plantas resistentes. A presença de inibidores de amilase nos grãos de milho pode interferir na digestão do inseto. Esta pesquisa foi desenvolvida com o objetivo de avaliar a resistência de híbridos de milho ao ataque de S. zeamais, correlacionada com a presença de inibidores de amilase e com a composição nutricional dos grãos. Adultos do gorgulho-do-milho foram expostos a amostras de grãos de diferentes híbridos a 27 ± 1 o C e 75 ± 5% de UR. Avaliou-se o ciclo biológico, peso dos adultos, índice de suscetibilidade e consumo dos grãos. Os resultados foram correlacionados com a composição dos grãos (teores de umidade, cinzas, lipídios, proteínas e carboidratos) e com a atividade de inibidores de amilase. A atividade inibidora de amilase foi determinada incubando-se o inibidor com 0,2 unidades de amilase durante 30 min. a 25°C, medindose posteriormente a atividade amilásica residual pelo método iodométrico. Dos parâmetros nutricionais avaliados, somente o conteúdo de ...

In this study, wheat, Triticum aestivum L. (em Thell), genotypes containing the Dnx, Dn7, Dn6, and Dn4 genes for resistance to the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), along with Dn0, a susceptible control, were assessed to determine the categories of D. noxia biotype 2 (RWA2) resistance in each genotype and RWA2 feeding behaviors on Dnx and Dn0 plants by using the electronic penetration graph technique. At 14 d postinfestation, Dn0 plants exhibited intense chlorosis and leaf rolling, and all test genotypes expressed some degree of chlorosis and leaf rolling, except Dn7, which was not damaged. Both Dn7 and Dnx expressed antibiosis effects, significantly reducing the numbers of aphids on plants and the intrinsic rate of aphid increase. Dn6 plants seemed to contain tolerance, exhibiting tolerance index measurements for leaf and root dry weight and plant height that were significantly lower than those of the susceptible Dn0 plants. Principal component analyses indicated that antibiosis and leaf rolling data explained 80% of the variance among genotypes. Electronic penetration graph analysis demonstrated contrasting results between RWA1 and RWA2 phloem sieve element phase feeding events, but results indicated that Dnx resistance factors are present in the sieve element cells or phloem sap. Plants containing Dnx exhibit antibiosis resistance to D. noxia RWA2 similar to that in plants containing the Secale cereale L. (rye)-based Dn7 gene without the negative baking quality traits associated with Dn7.