Evaluation of Resistance of Eleven Maize Races (Zea mays L.) to the Red Spider Mite (Tetranychus merganser, Boudreaux)

Abstract

At least 59 maize races (Zea mays L.) have been registered in Mexico. The feeding damage caused by insects and mites to maize crops generates up to ~30% of maize yield losses. Spider-mite-resistant plants are needed. The red spider mite, Tetranychus merganser Boudreaux (Acari: Tetranychidae), is distributed in the United States, China, Mexico, and Thailand. It is considered a potential pest in Mexican agriculture. The aim of this study was to evaluate the resistance mechanisms (antixenosis and antibiosis) of 11 native maize populations, representative of each race of maize grown in Tamaulipas, Mexico, to T. merganser under laboratory conditions. The aim was also to obtain information on the chemical composition and some morphological characteristics of these maize races and to identify resistant maize races for incorporation into a breeding program. Antixenosis was assessed by non-preference for oviposition and feeding. Antibiosis was measured by growth rate (ri). The presence of secondary metabolites in the 11 maize races were different. In the 11 maize races, quantitative analysis of total phenol concentration, total flavonoid concentration, and antioxidant capacity were significantly different. The multivariate analysis of variance showed that there is evidence of antixenosis noted by maize race differences in egg laying and percentage feeding damage but not of antibiosis noted by growth rate. Red spider mites laid significantly more eggs on the Celaya (24 h: 25.67 ± 17.04, 48 h: 42.67 ± 26.86, 72 h: 49.33 ± 28.54) race than on Raton (24 h: 7.00 ± 5.00, 48 h: 12.67 ± 8.02, 72 h: 14.67 ± 9.29) and Elotes Occidentales × Tuxpeño (24 h: 9.67 ± 5.85, 48 h: 15.33 ± 10.69, 72 h: 17.67 ± 10.97) races. However, the growth rate and mortality of T. merganser in the 11 corn races were similar. The Vandeño (24 h: 11.67 ± 2.89, 48 h: 27.67 ± 7.64, 72 h: 30.00 ± 18.03) and Tabloncillo × Tuxpeño (24 h: 18.33 ± 7.64, 48 h: 25.00 ± 8.66, 72 h: 25.00 ± 8.66) races were the most resistant to red spider mite damage, whereas the most susceptible race was Celaya (24 h: 26.67 ± 15.28, 48 h: 48.33 ± 29.30, 72 h: 65.00 ± 30.00). Further analysis by PCA at 24, 48, and 72 h found the Celaya race positively correlated to growth rate and oviposition of T. merganser and to a lesser extent with the percentage of feeding damage, suggesting that the Celaya race was most susceptible to T. merganser. At 24 h, the Vandeño race was most resistant, given a negative correlation to growth rate and oviposition by T. merganser. The PCA at 48 and 72 h noted the Elotes Occidentales × Tuxpeño race was most resistant to red spider mite, with negative relationships to growth rate and oviposition and, to a lesser extent, to feeding damage. This resistance is due to the differences in both its morphological characteristics and the secondary metabolites present in their leaves.

Flowered Grain Quality and Phytochemical Content of Non-Conventional Maize Hybrids from the Mexican Subtropics across Three Growing Cycles

“…Little has been reported on TSP content in ‘EO’ land-race samples. In this regard, Ballesteros Martínez et al [ 6 ] reported values lower than those found in this work, ranging from 100 to 130 mg FAE g −1 ds, while Rocandio-Rodríguez et al [ 32 ] reported 344 mg GAE 100 g −1 ds in a cross of Elotes Occidentales × Tuxpeño. Regarding TA content, a trend of interaction with the environment was observed across years, with values of 10.5, 17.0, and 15.2 mg PCE 100 g −1 ds for Pz1 in cycles 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively, and 12.9, 15.9, and 18.1 mg PCE 100 g −1 ds for Pz2 in the same years ( Figure 2 B).…”

Flowered Grain Quality and Phytochemical Content of Non-Conventional Maize Hybrids from the Mexican Subtropics in Three Crop Cycles

“…Little has been reported on TSP content in 'EO' land-race samples. In this regard, Ballesteros Martínez et al [6] reported values lower than those found in this work, ranging from 100 to 130 mg FAE g −1 ds, while Rocandio-Rodríguez et al [32] reported 344 mg GAE 100 g −1 ds in a cross of Elotes Occidentales × Tuxpeño. Regarding TA content, a trend of interaction with the environment was observed across years, with values of 10.5, 17.0, and 15.2 mg PCE 100 g −1 ds for Pz1 in cycles 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively, and 12.9, 15.9, and 18.1 mg PCE 100 g −1 ds for Pz2 in the same years (Figure 2B).…”

Assessment of Resistance Mechanisms to Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda in Tropical Maize Inbred Lines

“…Among the inbred lines studied here, CML71 is revealed as a highly promising line for use in breeding for native genetic resistance to FAW in tropical maize. Its resistance to FAW can be due to chemical characteristics present in the leaves as shown by [42] from a specific maize race to red spider mite. Chemical characteristics have been reported to confer resistance to FAW damage in maize such as the presence of jasmonic acid [30], (E)-β-caryophyllene [39], cuticular lipids [38,43,44], silica [45,46], high induced defensive transcriptomic signatures and higher levels of benzoxazinoids [47].…”