Agronomic performance of maize populations divergently selected for diferulate cross-linkage

Abstract

SUMMARYThe direct response of a divergent selection programme for total cell wall ester-linked diferulate concentration in maize pith stalk tissues and its indirect effect on cell wall degradability and corn borer resistance have been previously evaluated. Since increased total diferulate concentration is expected to improve crop performance in response to corn borers, the objective of the present research was to evaluate the indirect response of the divergent selection for diferulates on agronomic traits under corn borer infestation. For this purpose, five maize populations with contrasting total diferulate concentrations were evaluated four environments for performance under protected and infested conditions. Measured traits were: days to anthesis, days to silking, plant height, stalk lodging, grain moisture at harvest and grain yield. High diferulate populations showed a significant reduction in anthesis (precocity), and were 11 cm taller than the starting population, while low diferulate populations were 9 cm shorter, and showed nearly 1 t/ha lower grain yield than the original and high diferulate populations. The analysis showed that cycles of selection were positively correlated with flowering, plant height and grain yield. The infestations with borers produced >1 t/ha of reduction in grain yield; although the higher diferulate populations showed a better performance under infestation than the low diferulate populations. This positive effect on the grain yield by increasing diferulate content can be considered an extra in order to breed for resistance to corn borers.

Hydroxycinnamate Synthesis and Association with Mediterranean Corn Borer Resistance

“…There was a significant but low relationship between DFAT content and days to silking, suggesting some linkage between genes for precocity and diferulate biosynthesis. These results are in agreement with results from other studies that evaluate divergent populations for DFAT concentration, with high DFAT populations showing a significant reduction in the flowering date (<1 day), suggesting that higher DFAT deposition in the vascular system could favor faster growth rate …”

“…These results are in agreement with results from other studies that evaluate divergent populations for DFAT concentration, with high DFAT populations showing a significant reduction in the flowering date (<1 day), suggesting that higher DFAT deposition in the vascular system could favor faster growth rate. 46 One hundred and nine SSR markers of 110 markers were mapped, obtaining a map length of approximately 2150 cM. All markers were assigned to the expected chromosomes on the basis of previous maps except phi081, which was assigned to chromosome 8 instead of being assigned to chromosome 6 (http://www.maizegdb.org/).…”

Diverse lignocellulosic feedstocks can achieve high field‐scale ethanol yields while providing flexibility for the biorefinery and landscape‐level environmental benefits

“…This would be expected to have a positive effect on fermentation performance by reducing the concentration of hydroxycinnamates in the biomass and resulting hydrolyzate, but may come at the expense of feedstock viability. Higher hydroxycinnamate contents have been shown to increase plant resistance to herbivory and pathogen infestation, and reductions in these levels can lead to losses in crop yields (Barros-Rios, Santiago, Jung, & Malvar, 2015;Buanafina & Fescemyer, 2012;Reem et al, 2016;Santiago, Barros-Rios, Alvarez, & Malvar, 2016). Alternatively, bioethanol producers could utilize Z. mobilis or other tolerant microbial ethanologens, or reengineer yeast with greater tolerance to hydroxycinnamates and other lignocellulose derived inhibitors, such as has been done with E. coli (Sariaslani, 2007).…”

Effects of Maize Development and Phenology on the Field Infestation Dynamics of the European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

“…This implies that, within a species, plant defenses could be higher in slow-growing genotypes. This growth-defense trade-off has been the subject of several studies with contrasted results depending on the species considered (Bode and Kessler, 2012; Santiago et al, 2016; Stowe and Marquis, 2011; Todesco et al, 2010). This trade-off could interfere with plant defense acquisition during development and affect plant-pest interactions.…”