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Linking variety-dependent root volatile organic compounds in maize with differential infestation by wireworms

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Abstract

Like most phytophagous insect pests, wireworms are suspected to use plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to locate appropriate host plants. Preliminary field observations at our study site showed strong differences in the infestation level of four varieties of maize by wireworms. We raised and tested the hypothesis that these maize varieties have differential susceptibility/attraction to wireworms because they emit different VOCs from their roots. We collected, separated, identified and quantified VOCs from the roots of two maize varieties having experienced contrasted levels of wireworm infestation in the field. We showed that the less susceptible variety released a more diverse blend of VOCs, including large amounts of hexanal, heptanal and 2,3-octenanedione. The higher diversity and concentration of VOCs could play a role on the pest repulsion, explaining the difference in susceptibility of variety with respect to the other one. Laboratory dual-choice bioassays showed that wireworms were strongly attracted to COV released by maize roots. However, when wireworms were offered both maize varieties, no preference was detected, contrasting with the field results. Therefore, VOCs may not be the only cues influencing host selection by wireworms.

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Acknowledgements

D. la Forgia is supported by a Ph.D. Grant from Coordinated Integrated Pest Management in Europe (C-IPM), project ElatPro. The authors thank Mickaël Gaillard for scientific support, and Rhoxane Schelkens and Shannon Thiery for technical assistance. We thank the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments that helped improve this manuscript.

Funding

This study was funded by a Coordinated Integrated Pest Management in Europe (C-IPM) project, called ElatPro.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gembloux-Agro-Bio-Tech, TERRA, University of Liège, Avenue de la Faculté d’Agronomie 2B, 5030, Gembloux, Belgium

    Diana la Forgia, Frédéric Francis, Georges Lognay & François Verheggen

  2. Arvalis Institut du Végétal, Chemin de Pau, 64121, Montardon, France

    Jean-Baptiste Thibord & Philippe Larroudé

Authors
  1. Diana la Forgia
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  2. Jean-Baptiste Thibord
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  3. Philippe Larroudé
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  4. Frédéric Francis
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  5. Georges Lognay
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  6. François Verheggen
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Correspondence to François Verheggen.

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All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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All applicable international, national and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. Just invertebrates (insects) were used.

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Communicated by C. M. Benefer.

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la Forgia, D., Thibord, JB., Larroudé, P. et al. Linking variety-dependent root volatile organic compounds in maize with differential infestation by wireworms. J Pest Sci 93, 605–614 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-019-01190-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-019-01190-w

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