硫水平对玉米氮、硫代谢特性及根系活性的影响

通过Hoagland营养液水培玉米,定量研究了供S水平对玉米根系活性和植株S、N代谢特性的影响．当玉米缺S时。玉米根系活性和叶片硝酸还原酶(NR)活性显著降低,植株冠／根比增大;根系与地上部对S、N的吸收均减少。S在根系和新生叶中分配相对减少、在衰老叶和茎鞘中分配相对增多;N在根系中分配增多,新生叶和完全展开叶中分配相对减少;植株蛋白质、蛋白氮、蛋白硫、无机硫的含量均显著降低,非蛋白氮比率增多,无机硫占总S的比率变小,全N／全S比增大;蛋白质中的N／S比在地上部无显著变化。而在根系中显著增大;根系对S缺乏的反应更为敏感．研究表明。缺S植株蛋白质含量与NR活性之间呈极显著正相关;S的缺乏或过量均影响玉米的N、S代谢;以根系作为S素营养诊断器官。以N／S比或无机S／全S比作为诊断指标较灵敏。正常条件下其数值分别为10．7和0．302．     

咖啡根系分泌物对嫁接后植株生长及叶片保护酶活性的影响

咖啡根系分泌物引起的自毒作用是造成咖啡连作障碍的主要原因,而种间嫁接是抑制咖啡自毒的有效方式。为探明嫁接抑制自毒机制,采用盆栽试验研究咖啡主栽品种根系分泌物对嫁接植株的化感效应。结果表明:根系分泌物抑制了咖啡自根苗生长,且随着根系分泌物浓度升高,抑制作用增强;低浓度根系分泌物能促进咖啡嫁接苗生长,经根系分泌物处理后的嫁接苗株高、根长、地上部干重和根干重分别较未处理的对照嫁接苗平均增加了22.15%、6.52%、44.80%和20.67%,根系活力、叶片保护酶活性也明显增加;高浓度根系分泌物虽未能促进嫁接苗生长,但嫁接苗较自根苗生长优势显著,经根系分泌物处理后嫁接苗POD、CAT和SOD活性分别较自根苗增加了60.61%、27.27%和18.24%,MDA含量显著减少,根系活力显著增加。因此,在根系分泌物处理下,嫁接苗能通过提高自身保护酶活性等方式,促进植株生长或使植株生长所受抑制减少。     

棉花根系分泌物对土壤速效养分和酶活性及微生物数量的影响

采用水培法收集棉花根系分泌物,在耕作1年的土壤中添加棉花根系分泌物,培养10 d后测定土壤中速效养分、酶活性及微生物数量.结果显示,(1)棉花根系分泌物能极显著提高土壤中速效K和速效P含量4.31%～15.03%和5.99%～24.31%(P<0.01);高浓度分泌物处理下速效N含量比对照显著提高11.39%(P<0.05),其它处理影响不显著;各浓度分泌物对土壤有机质含量均无显著影响.(2)各浓度棉花根系分泌物均使土壤中转化酶活性显著提高,且随分泌物浓度的增加而显著增强;低浓度分泌物能显著提高土壤中磷酸酶的活性,所有浓度处理对土壤脲酶活性均无显著影响.(3)中、高浓度的棉花根系分泌物能显著增加土壤中细菌的数量,低浓度的分泌物能显著增加土壤中真菌的数量,而不同浓度处理的土壤中放线菌的数量均无显著的变化.研究表明,棉花根系分泌物可通过促进土壤细菌及土壤真菌的繁殖来增强土壤转化酶和磷酸酶活性,提高土壤速效P、速效K及速效N含量,从而对棉花根际微环境产生深刻影响.     

不同盐处理对玉米幼苗根系质子分泌及细胞膜透性的影响

以玉米品种郑单958为实验材料,分别用100 mmol/L NaCl、100 mmol/L KCl和50 mmol/L Na2CO3处理其幼苗3 d,研究不同盐类对玉米根系质子分泌和细胞膜透性的影响.结果表明:不同盐处理都显著抑制玉米幼苗根系的生长,抑制程度依次为Na2CO3>KCl>NaCl;不同盐处理均使玉米幼苗根系Na 含量显著增加,NaCl和Na2CO3处理显著降低根系K 含量而导致其Na /K 升高,但KCl处理却显著提高根系K 含量使其Na /K 降低;不同盐处理均能显著增加细胞膜透性而降低根系质子分泌能力,影响程度依次为Na2CO3>KCl>NaCl.研究发现,相同阳离子浓度条件下,KCl处理对玉米根系质子分泌的抑制作用强于NaCl,碱性盐的抑制作用大于中性盐;盐胁迫可能通过改变玉米幼苗根系质膜的稳定性来影响质子分泌,从而抑制根系生长.     

柏木根系分泌物对栾树细根形态及N、P含量的影响

为研究混交过程中柏木根系分泌物对栾树细根生长的影响,以一年生栾树盆栽幼苗为研究对象,通过施加1株、2株、4株、8株4个浓度柏木根系分泌物(分别记为G1、G2、G4、G8)于栾树盆栽中,探讨柏木根系分泌物对栾树幼苗1～5级细根形态及N、P含量的影响。结果表明:(1)栾树细根直径随根序的增加而增大,施加根系分泌物显著减小了1～2级细根的直径(P0.05);细根比根长、比表面积均随根序的增加而减小,施加根系分泌物显著增大了1～2级细根的比根长及比表面积(P0.05);随根系分泌物施加浓度的提高,栾树比根长及比表面积先增大,而直径先减小,然后均趋于平缓波动的态势。(2)栾树细根N、P含量均随根序的增加而减小,而N/P在根序间的变化不显著;施加柏木根系分泌物显著增大了栾树1～2级细根的N、P含量(P0.05),但减小了1～5级细根的N/P;随根系分泌物施加浓度的提高,栾树细根P含量增大,N/P减小,而N含量先增加后呈现平缓变化的趋势。(3)栾树细根N、P含量均与其比根长、比表面积和直径等形态特征之间呈显著的相关关系(P0.05)。研究发现,柏木根系分泌物可改善土壤养分的有效性,从而缓解栾树植株的缺P症状,细根通过调整其形态以提高养分利用效率;柏木根系分泌物主要影响栾树1～2级细根的形态及N、P含量;4株柏木根系分泌物的剂量更有利于栾树根系的生长。     

丛枝菌根真菌（Glomus intraradices）对铜污染土壤上玉米生长的影响

盆栽试验研究了不同土壤施Cu水平（0、50、200 mg/kg）下,接种不同来源的两个丛枝菌根真菌Glomus intraradices菌株对玉米生长、Cu、P以及微量元素Fe、Mn、Zn吸收的影响。结果表明：接种菌根真菌显著提高了玉米的生物量,增加了玉米植株P浓度和吸收量;随着施Cu水平提高,各处理根系Cu浓度显著增加。各施Cu水平下玉米根系Cu浓度远远高于地上部分Cu浓度,同一施Cu水平下接种处理根系Cu浓度要显著高于对照;尤其在200 mg/kg施Cu水平下,接种处理根系Cu浓度大约是地上部分的45~58倍,对照根系Cu浓度大约是地上部分的12倍。总体上,试验条件下两个菌株对玉米的接种效应没有明显差异。试验表明丛枝菌根对重金属Cu有较强的固持作用,这可能是菌根减轻宿主植物Cu毒害的一个重要机制。     

Cd-Cu复合胁迫对黄菖蒲叶片及根系中Cd和Cu的积累及其迁移率的影响

采用水培法研究了Cd-Cu复合胁迫(5 mg·L-1Cd-10 mg·L-1Cu;5 mg-L-1Cd-20 mg·L-1Cu;25 mg·L-1 Cd-10 mg·L-1Cu;25 mg·L-1Cd-20 mg·L-1Cu)条件下黄菖蒲(Iris pseudacorus L.)叶片和根系对Cd和Cu的积累作用及黄菖蒲体内Cd和Cu迁移率的变化规律.结果表明,在50 d的胁迫期内,黄菖蒲叶片和根系中的Cd和Cu含量分别随培养液中Cd和Cu浓度的提高而增加,并随胁迫处理时间的延长基本呈增加的趋势,在胁迫末期明显提高.在不同浓度Cd-Cu复合胁迫条件下,黄菖蒲根系中的Cd和Cu积累量明显高于叶片.在Cd浓度不变的条件下,黄菖蒲叶片和根系中的Cd含量随培养液中Cu浓度的提高而增加;在Cu浓度不变的条件下,黄菖蒲叶片中Cu含量随培养液中Cd浓度的提高而降低.在不同胁迫时间,黄菖蒲植株对Cd的迁移率不同,但培养液中Cd的浓度较高,黄菖蒲植株对Cd的迁移率也较高;黄菖蒲植株对Cu的迁移率随胁迫时间的延长基本上呈上升趋势.研究结果显示,在Cd-Cu复合胁迫条件下,Cu对黄菖蒲体内Cd的吸收具有一定的协同吸收作用,而Cd对Cu的吸收则有一定的拈抗作用.     

嫁接对盐胁迫下西瓜幼苗体内离子和内源激素含量与分布的影响

以小型西瓜‘秀丽’为接穗、耐盐砧木瓠瓜‘超丰抗生王’为砧木,以自根嫁接苗为参照,分析了砧木嫁接对NaCl胁迫下西瓜幼苗根、茎、叶中离子和内源激素含量的影响。结果表明:(1)盐胁迫下,自根嫁接苗Na+主要积累在地上部,K+含量和K+/Na+比下降幅度大;砧木嫁接苗大部分Na+积累在根系中,K+含量和K+/Na+比下降幅度小且在不同部位皆高于自根嫁接苗。(2)盐胁迫下,自根嫁接苗吲哚-3-乙酸(IAA)以及玉米素和玉米核苷的总量(Z+ZR)在根系和接穗茎中显著增加,在叶片中明显下降,赤霉素(GA3)含量在不同部位保持不变或明显增加;而砧木嫁接苗不同部位IAA和(Z+ZR)的含量均显著增加,GA3含量在不同部位保持不变或明显下降。(3)盐胁迫下,两种嫁接组合根系和茎中脱落酸(ABA)含量均明显下降,叶片中ABA含量则显著增加。(4)盐胁迫下,自根嫁接苗和砧木嫁接苗根系和接穗茎中IAA/(Z+ZR)的比值均明显上升,叶片中明显下降,但砧木嫁接苗上升和下降幅度均远大于自根嫁接苗。研究表明,瓠瓜根系对进入根系的Na+具有截留作用;采用瓠瓜砧木嫁接可有效防止Na+在西瓜接穗地上部尤其是在叶片中的大量累积,从而防止离子毒害的发生;瓠瓜砧木嫁接植株体内具有较高的K+含量和K+/Na+比,可有效维持盐胁迫下西瓜嫁接植株体内的离子稳态;瓠瓜砧木嫁接植株体内具有较高的IAA和(Z+ZR)含量,IAA/(Z+ZR)比值较高,对提高西瓜嫁接植株盐胁迫耐性起到了积极的作用。     

丛枝菌根真菌(Glomus intraradices)对铜污染土壤上玉米生长的影响

盆栽试验研究了不同土壤施Cu水平(0、50、200 mg/kg)下,接种不同来源的两个丛枝菌根真菌Glomus intraradices菌株对玉米生长、Cu、P以及微量元素Fe、Mn、Zn吸收的影响.结果表明:接种菌根真菌显著提高了玉米的生物量,增加了玉米植株P浓度和吸收量;随着施Cu水平提高,各处理根系Cu浓度显著增加.各施Cu水平下玉米根系Cu浓度远远高于地上部分Cu浓度,同一施Cu水平下接种处理根系Cu浓度要显著高于对照;尤其在200 mg/kg施Cu水平下,接种处理根系Cu浓度大约是地上部分的45～58倍,对照根系Cu浓度大约是地上部分的12倍.总体上,试验条件下两个菌株对玉米的接种效应没有明显差异.试验表明丛枝菌根对重金属Cu有较强的固持作用,这可能是菌根减轻宿主植物Cu毒害的一个重要机制.     

骆驼蓬提取物对玉米种子萌发和壮苗的影响

用不同浓度骆驼蓬提取物浸种处理玉米,研究对玉米种子萌发和壮苗的影响。结果表明,浸种处理后玉米种子的萌发及胚根和胚芽生长明显受抑,且随处理浓度提高抑制增强;但随培养时间的延长,对萌发的抑制减弱,根长和株高增加。0．1g／mL、0．2g／mL、0．3g／mL浓度的骆驼蓬提取液浸种可显著提高玉米幼苗根系活力,促进植株生长,根体积和植株生物量增加,根苗比增大。     

Identification and quantification of hydroxamic acids in maize seedling root tissue and impact on western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) larval development

Hydroxamic acid content was analyzed in the root tissue of four maize, Zea mays L., lines using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and related to western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, larval development and survivorship. Maize lines evaluated included Mp710 (PI 596627), MpSWCB-4, (PI 550498), Sc213 (PI 548792), and Dk580 (DeKalb commercial hybrid). Maize plants from each line were grown in test tubes containing a transparent agarose gel medium in a growth chamber. After 8 d of growth, root tissue of each line was harvested and hydroxamic acid content analyzed using HPLC. Three hydroxamic acids, 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIMBOA), 6-methoxybenzoxazolinone (MBOA), and 2,4-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIBOA), were identified in the maize roots tested. DIMBOA concentration was quantified and ranged from 246.37 +/- 70.53 micrograms to 91.84 +/- 49.82 micrograms DIMBOA per gram of root tissue. No significant difference was found among lines in D. v. virgifera larval development and survivorship.     

转Bt基因玉米叶片次生代谢物DIMBOA和酚酸类物质含量的变化

异羟肟酸和酚酸类物质是玉米植株中重要的次生代谢物,可以帮助抵御多种病原菌、害虫、线虫和其它植物的危害。采用HPL C法研究了Bt玉米34B2 4、G30、农大6 1(Nongda6 1)和14 2 6×14 82以及部分相应的非转基因玉米叶片DIMBOA和酚酸类物质含量的变化。试验结果表明,不同玉米品种之间DIMBOA含量的差异很大;各Bt玉米品种叶片的DIMBOA含量普遍低于相对应的非转基因近等基因系。从不同部位的叶片看,玉米幼嫩叶片中的DIMBOA含量普遍较高;不同品种叶片DIMBOA含量的差异主要表现在幼叶之间,而老叶间的差异普遍较小。无论是Bt玉米还是非转基因玉米,随着生长时间的增加,各品种玉米幼苗全株叶片的DIMBOA含量急剧减少;各品种倒1叶的DIMBOA含量也都随着生长期的增加而减少,倒3叶却没有这样的规律。Bt玉米叶片的DIMBOA含量在单一的干旱胁迫或缺氮胁迫下的变化规律与非转基因玉米相似,即单一的干旱胁迫或缺氮胁迫下玉米各部位叶片的DIMBOA含量均显著升高;然而,在干旱和缺氮双重胁迫下,Bt玉米14 2 6×14 82在生长的中后期各部位叶片的DIMBOA含量却低于正常生长条件,明显不同于非转基因玉米的变化规律。与相应的非转基因近等基因系相比,虽然Bt玉米中香草酸和丁香酸的含量没有显著减少,但阿魏酸的含量显著降低。这一结果表     

A role for cyclic hydroxamates in aluminium resistance in maize?

Hydroxamate siderophores have been found to alleviate Al toxicity in bacteria. In Poaceae plants cyclic hydroxamates, like DIMBOA (2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one) and its derivatives have mostly been studied in relation to either defence against insects or allelopathy. In this study the influence of Al on concentrations of these benzoxazinoids (Bx) in root tips, whole roots and root xylem exudates of Zea mays L. varieties differing in Al resistance was analyzed by HPLC-MS. Aluminium resistant maize variety Sikuani maintained considerably higher Bx levels in root tips than the Al sensitive variety Bakero. In vitro binding of Al to DIMBOA was shown by fluorescence quenching. Addition of DIMBOA to Al-containing nutrient solution protected the sensitive maize against Al toxicity as shown by bioassays using callose and haematoxylin staining of root tips as stress indicators. This is the first study showing that Bx can detoxify Al in solution. Tissue analysis data provide first, circumstantial, support for a role of Bx in defence against Al toxicity also in planta.     

Variation of DIMBOA and related compounds content in relation to the age and plant organ in maize

We report the variation of all 1,4-benzoxazin-3-one derivatives content detectable in maize with plant age in roots and aerial parts. Our results show that the concentration of hydroxamic acids, 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one glucoside (DIMBOA-Glc) and its 8-methoxylated analogue (DIM2BOA-Glc) is high after seed germination and then decreases with plant age. Nevertheless, these compounds continue to be biosynthesised during 6-10 days after germination. Variation in concentration of N-O-methylated DIMBOA-Glc (HDMBOA-Glc) is similar to the one of hydroxamic acids in aerial parts. On the contrary, in roots, its concentration remains relatively stable with plant age. After 10 days, HDMBOA-Glc becomes the main compound in roots. This compound is also present in higher concentration than hydroxamic acids in the oldest leaf of 20-day-old maize. The presence of four other DIMBOA related compounds in maize plants depends on variety, age and tissue. The role of these compounds in plant resistance to aphids is discussed.     

Occurrence and characterization of a UDP-glucose:hydroxamic acid glucosyltransferase isolated from wheat (Triticum aestivum) seedlings

Cyclic hydroxamic acid glucosides are present at high concentrations immediately after germination in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Changes in the activity of UDP-Glucose:cyclic hydroxamic acid glucosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.-) in wheat were investigated using the cyclic hydroxamic acids 2.4-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIBOA) and its 7-methoxy derivative (DIMBOA) as sugar acceptors. Glucosyltransferase activity on both substrates was detected in dry seeds, with activity increasing after imbibition, peaking in shoots and roots 36-48 hours after imbibition and decreasing thereafter. The transience of glucosyltransferase activity was concurrent with the transient occurrence of the hydroxamic acid glucosides [Nakagawa E., Amano T., Hirai N., and Iwamura H. (1995) Phytochemistry 38, 1349-1354], suggesting that glucosyltransferases regulate the accumulation of hydroxamic acid glucosides in wheat seedlings. Two peaks in activity of UDP-Glucose:DIMBOA glucosyltransferase were detected using a Mono Q column, indicating the presence of at least two isozymes of this glucosyltransferase. The enzyme in the major peak was purified about 1500-fold and shown to be in a monomeric form with a molecular mass of 47 or 49 kDa. The enzyme reacted strongly with DIMBOA, less so with DIBOA. The enzyme of the minor peak on the Mono Q chromatogram, which was also a monomeric enzyme with a molecular mass of 47 kDa, showed similar substrate specificity to that of the major peak enzyme.     

Hydroxamic acids in Secale cereale L. and the relationship with their antifeedant and allelopathic properties

Contents of the hydroxamic acids 2,4-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIBOA), and 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIMBOA) in leaves and roots of 14 cultivars of rye, Secale cereale L., were determined. Dynamics of accumulation in three cultivars were evaluated. DIBOA was the main cyclic hydroxamic acid in leaves but the contents differed significantly between the cultivars. Both DIBOA and DIMBOA were present in the roots. Maximum concentration of DIBOA in leaves and DIMBOA in roots was reached between 48-54 h and 54-72 h after germination, respectively. Antifeedant activity of DIBOA towards the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi and the feeding behavior were studied by electronic recording in barley leaves treated with different contents of DIBOA. The deleterious activity of DIBOA could arise by starvation and/or a toxic effect. Additionally, allelopathic potential of pure DIBOA and aqueous extracts of leaves and roots of rye (Tetra-Baer) on the germination of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and rye (Tetra-Baer) seeds was evaluated. A high percentage of germination inhibition of pure DIBOA and the extracts of leaves and roots was observed. The activity is in agreement with the contents of hydroxamic acids in the plants. The substrates had no allelopathic effect on rye seeds.     

Occurrence and Characterization of 2-Hydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one and Indole Hydroxylases in Juvenile Wheat

Cyclic hydroxamic acids, 2,4-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIBOA) and its 7-methoxy analogue (DIMBOA), occur transiently in high amounts in wheat and maize during the juvenile, non-autotrophic stage of growth. To elucidate the biosynthetic enzymes operating for the transient production of these compounds, we examined the hydroxylating activities for 2-hydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (HBOA), the immediate precursor of DIBOA, and indole, the first intermediate of the biosynthetic pathway that branches off from the tryptophan pathway, by using microsomes prepared from wheat seedlings. Both hydroxylases occurred soon after germination, reached a maximum 48 h after germination, and decreased to finally disappear as the plants grew into the autotrophic growth stage. The mode of appearance and disappearance similar to that of hydroxamic acids, suggesting that elevated expression of the whole set of enzymes involved in the biosynthesis after indole was responsible for the transient occurrence of hydroxamic acids. The hydroxylating activity was also observed for 1,4-benzoxazin-3-one, a putative precursor of HBOA, but to significantly less extent than that for HBOA and indole.     

Hydroxamic Acid glucosyltransferases from maize seedlings

Hydroxamic acids occur in several forms in maize (Zea mays L.) with 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (DIMBOA) being the predominant form and others including 2,4-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIBOA) being found at lower concentrations. Two enzymes capable of glucosylating hydroxamic acids were identified in maize protein extracts and partially purified and characterized. The total enzyme activity per seedling increased during the first 4 days of germination and was concurrent with the accumulation of DIMBOA. Purification of the enzymes by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by Sephadex G-200 and Q-Sepharose gel chromatography resulted in a 13-fold increase in specific activity. The enzymes are initially separated into two peaks (peak 1 and peak 2) of activity by Q-Sepharose gel chromatography. The peak 1 glucosyltransferase had 3.6% of the DIMBOA glucosylating activity when DIBOA was used as substrate, whereas this percentage increased to 57% for the peak 2 enzyme. The enzyme in peak 2 has a K_m of 174 micromolar for DIMBOA and a K_m of 638 micromolar for DIBOA; the enzyme in peak 1 has a K_m of 217 micromolar for DIMBOA and its activity on DIBOA was too low to determine a K_m. The identification of two glucosyltransferases capable of glucosylating hydroxamic acids in vitro serves as an initial step in the characterization of the enzymes involved in production of hydroxamic acids in maize.     

Decomposition of 2,4-Dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one in Aqueous Solutions

Cyclic hydroxamic acids present in some species of Gramineae have been reported to be important in resistance of these plants to fungi and insects. Since the nonglucosylated forms of these acids are unstable in aqueous solution, in vitro methods for the measurement of their antibiotic properties have been difficult. Kinetics of the decomposition of 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (DIMBOA), the major hydroxamate in corn (Zea mays L.) extracts, were studied in buffered aqueous solutions from pH 5 to 7.5 at temperatures from 20 to 80 C. Kinetics were apparently first order under all conditions tested; energies of activation (24 to 28 kcal/mol) were nearly pH-independent. DIMBOA decomposed rapidly (half-life = 5.3 hours at 28 C, pH 6.75) relative to the time required for many procedures which have been used to demonstrate the biological activity of DIMBOA. The rate of disappearance of inhibitory activity of DIMBOA toward Erwinia carotovora was indistinguishable from the rate of decomposition of DIMBOA. Contrary to reports, yields of 6-methoxy-2-benzoxazolinone (MBOA) were not quantitative. Gas-liquid chromatography analytical procedures were developed for quantitation of trimethylsilyl and acetyl derivatives of MBOA. As measured by ultraviolet spectroscopy and/or gas-liquid chromatography, conversion of DIMBOA to MBOA ranged from 40 to 75% of theoretical in aqueous buffers, bacterial growth medium, and ethyl acetate extracts of corn tissue resuspended in buffer. Yields varied with temperature, pH, and constituents in the medium.     

The potential of hydroxamic acids in tetraploid and hexaploid wheat varieties as resistance factors against the bird‐cherry oat aphid,Rhopalosiphum padi

The potential for exploiting natural wheat resistance to control the cereal aphid Rhopalosiphum padi, the most important aphid pest of small grain cereals in the UK, was investigated as an alternative approach to the use of insecticides. The investigation focussed on a group of secondary metabolites, the hydroxamic acids or benzoxazinones, present naturally as glucosides, but which hydrolyse on tissue damage to give biologically active aglycones, e.g. 2,4‐dihydroxy‐7‐methoxy‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3‐one (DIMBOA) which are associated with natural plant defence. These can be important for resistance against insects, fungi, bacteria and nematodes for a range of cultivated monocotyledonous plants and could ultimately be combined with other defence mechanisms to provide a general approach to cereal aphid control. Levels of hydroxamic acids, particularly DIMBOA‐glucoside, were determined in hexaploid (Triticum aestivum) and tetraploid (Triticum durum) wheat varieties and differences were found between species and varieties. The effect of feeding by R. padi on the level of hydroxamic acids in the leaf tissue was also investigated. Thus, after 24 h of aphid feeding, as an apparently localised hydrolytic defence reaction in the leaf, levels of DIMBOA‐glucoside decreased noticeably. When aphids were fed on sucrose solution containing low doses of DIMBOA there was a significant mortality compared to the sucrose control. However, the levels of and variation in hydroxamic acids in the wheat varieties investigated were insufficient for significant differences in aphid behaviour and development.