Home Add to Favorite Contact Submit  
           28 March, 2024


    
Category:  Press » Agriculture

 

Scientists find genes involved in the battle between Hessian flies and wheat

Popularity:
         Views: 2046
2007-03-08 05:24:06     
James Dyson

Wheat has ways to battle the tiny, red wormlike insects that nibble on the plant's leaves and can destroy crops worldwide, but the Hessian fly larvae that survive eventually evolve methods to overcome plant defenses.

Purdue University and USDA-Agriculture Research Service scientists trying to thwart the insect have identified Hessian fly genes that nullify toxins that wheat produces to protect itself from the munching larvae. The researchers report their findings in the Feb. 6 issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Richard Shukle, a USDA-ARS entomologist and Purdue adjunct assistant professor, is working with colleagues to learn more about how the flies feed and why they can't establish a feeding site on plants that are resistant to the larvae.

"The focus of our work is to try to understand how the insect overcomes plant resistance and use that basic knowledge to enhance the durability of wheat against Hessian fly attack by combining several genes for resistance or through some other novel strategies," said Shukle, senior and corresponding author of the paper.

The toxic oxygen compound defense mechanism in resistant plants stresses the larvae, which then fight back, he said. This is confirmed by the Hessian fly larvae's increased production of enzymes triggered by their antioxidant genes in order to detoxify wheat anti-insect poisons.

"Hessian fly larvae are under stress when they encounter resistant wheat plants," Shukle said. "This stress includes starvation when they can't establish a feeding site. The larvae also are under stress from toxic molecules, including poisonous oxygen compounds."

Researchers know little about the biochemical mechanisms involved when larvae - the early stages of the gnat-sized Hessian fly - try to feed on resistant wheat plants that are able to defend themselves, Shukle said. While the insects can't establish feeding sites on resistant plants, the larvae can alter the physiology and change the level of certain proteins in susceptible plants. This forces the plant to feed the larvae.

On resistant plants, Hessian fly larvae encounter defense mechanisms that include poisonous oxygen compounds, Shukle said. These compounds, also called reactive oxygen species, can be produced either by the plant or within the Hessian fly larval digestive system. These poisons then disrupt the insects' gut function.

"The larvae probe the plant to open a sustained feeding site," said Jonathan Neal, a Purdue entomologist and another author of the paper. "Resistant plants block the larvae from establishing a feeding site. It's as if larvae keep trying to open doors because they are programmed to look for a feeding site.

"In resistant plants, the doors are all locked. Then the larvae finally crawl down to the base of the plant and die. This is death by frustration."

Hessian flies can be controlled by using specifically bred wheat varieties called resistant wheat cultivars. Infestations by the flies also can be prevented by planting wheat after the fly is no longer active and laying eggs. This "fly-free date" is set in different regions according to climate.

The study represents a step in understanding the complexity of antioxidant defense responses during interaction between Hessian flies and wheat, he said. It may also be applicable to other insect-plant interactions.

Hessian flies have been in the United States for more than 200 years, apparently accidentally introduced by German mercenaries during the Revolutionary War.

The flies are found worldwide, but the U.S. infestation has been mainly in the Southeast. In Georgia during the 1980s, wheat crop losses totaled $28 million in one year when the insect overcame the plant's resistant gene that was being used at the time.

Over the past two years, the pest also has caused extensive yield losses in southeastern Missouri and a resurgence occurred in Oklahoma in 2006. Most recently, a Hessian fly infestation was identified near Lafayette, Ind., where the insect hadn't been reported for more than a decade.

Purdue University, USDA-ARS and the USDA Current Research Information System provided support for this project

The study's lead author was Omprakash Mittapalli, a former graduate student in Shukle's laboratory. Mittapalli is now a postdoctoral fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena, Germany.

PHOTO CAPTION:

Purdue researchers, from left, Richard Shukle and Jonathan Neal examine plots of wheat infested with Hessian fly larvae. Their research has identified genes in the insects that produce enzymes in response to toxins plants use to protect themselves from the flies. (Purdue Agricultural Communication photo/Tom Campbell)

A publication-quality photo is available at http://news.uns.purdue.edu/images/+2007/shukle-wheat.jpg

PHOTO CAPTION:

No larger than a pencil point, this shaft of wheat grown in a Purdue greenhouse is infested with Hessian fly larvae. The darker puparium is an advanced stage, from which an adult fly will emerge. (Purdue Agricultural Communication photo/Tom Campbell)

A publication-quality photo is available at http://news.uns.purdue.edu/images/+2007/shukle-hessionfly.jpg

Specialized in: Scientists - Genes Involved - Hessian Flies - Wheat
URL: http://news.uns.purdue.edu
Print press release      Bookmark this page
Related Press releases 
SlantRange and Microsoft Partner on Scalable Crop Analytics Solutions for Agriculture (Popularity: ): SAN DIEGO - October 30, 2018 -- SlantRange, Inc., a leading provider of remote sensing and analytics systems for agriculture, announced today a new partnership with Microsoft to bring a new set of powerful and scalable aerial measurement and data solutions to the global agriculture market. The partnership will combine Microsoft’s latest Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and cloud analytics with SlantRange’s proven edge-computing capabilities into an integrated product offering ...
Florida Farm Bureau Holds Conference for Young Farmers and Ranchers (Popularity: ): Gainesville, Fla. - July 04, 2015 -- Florida Farm Bureau will hold its state Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference, themed “Agriculture in Paradise,” at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club in Naples, July 17-19.More than 180 young people representing Florida’s next farming generation will attend various leadership development seminars at the three-day conference so that they can better promote agriculture in their own communities.“We are excited to have ...
American Farmer to Showcase Air Tractor in Upcoming Episode on RFD-TV (Popularity: ): Olney, TX - November 25, 2014 -- Air Tractor, Inc. announced that they will be featured in an upcoming episode of American Farmer, airing 2nd QTR 2015 on RFD-TV.American Farmer will explore Air Tractor, who for more than 50 years has been manufacturing the world’s best agricultural aircraft in the industry. This segment will go behind the scenes at Air Tractor to uncover their extensive line of Ag aircraft with ...
Achievement in Agriculture Finalists Announced (Popularity: ): Gainesville, Fla. - August 01, 2014 -- Three finalists have been selected for Florida Farm Bureau's 2014 Achievement in Agriculture Award and will compete in October for the top statewide honor.This year's finalists are Trevor Bass (Alachua County), Doug and DeAnne Carter (Suwannee County) and Corey Lambert (Hardee County).The Achievement in Agriculture award recognizes members of Florida Farm Bureau's Young Farmers and Ranchers program who excel in their involvement in ...
Argus launches North American fertilizer service (Popularity: ): HOUSTON, Aug. 24, 2012 -- Global energy and commodity price reporting agency Argus has launched a new weekly fertilizer service, Argus FMB North American Fertilizer, focusing on the dynamic and evolving North American fertilizer markets. Through this service, Argus offers the most extensive fertilizer market price data of any publisher.Argus FMB North American Fertilizer's expansive coverage includes 56 assessments for fertilizer commodities, including ammonia, nitrogen, phosphate, potash, sulfur and sulfuric ...


Related Business 
Get Rid Of Flies (Popularity: ): Most of us don’t like flies and I am sure if you are here, you are one of them. Flies are more than just a mere nuisance. According to a study, there are more than 100,000 known species of flies (only God knows, how many are still unknown).
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Popularity: ): The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is the RAF's tribute to the aviators of WWII, and flies several Spitfires, two Hurricanes, a Dakota and a Lancaster.
Canadian Wheat (Popularity: ): Canadian wheat - we provide a network opportunity to Canadian wheat producers. People who deal in Canadian wheat can connect with Canadian wheat agent, Canadian wheat brokers, Canadian wheat importers and Canadian wheat exporters. Our vision is to provide a complete database of farmers, brokers, traders and producers of wheat and other grains.
Hessian Cloths Manufacturers (Popularity: ): One of the overriding manufacturer, exporter & supplier of hessian cloth, engaged in jute products such as jute twines, jute sacking bags, jute webbing, jute soil saver, agro based jute bags etc., used in packaging, textile and non-textile sectors.
Get Rid Of Fruit Flies (Popularity: ): When a parent is telling their child to clean the dishes, they may be accidentally giving them a tip on how to get rid of fruit flies. The fruit flies are going to be interested in the scraps and the rest of the leftovers that a person may have left on their plate.
Wheat Bran Manufacturers India (Popularity: ): Bee El Industries is a leading name among Manufacturers and Suppliers of Wheat Products. We manufacture and supply premium Wheat Flour, Refined Wheat Flour, Semolina Flour and Wheat Bran. We provide customized packaging to our esteemed clients to ensure complete customer satisfaction. We use advanced machinery that helps in rapid production of our products.
National Association of Wheat Growers (Popularity: ): Wheat facts, marketing, and research information. Weekly report from Washington, D.C. and Wheat Industry Conference and Exposition. Reviews issues of loans, crop insurance, farm cash flow, exports, and the need for sound science behind Food Quality Protection, as these issues affect wheat producers.
Agro Seeds Suppliers (Popularity: ): One of the preeminent agro seeds supplying company, involved in providing agro products like wheat grains, rice, pulses, barley, jaggery, wheat flour, rice flakes, organic food grains, cooking pulses and so on.
Premium Fly Fishing Flies (Popularity: ): Hand-tied quality fishing flies for sale on our online shop. Professionally tied salmon and trout flies for sale. All flies are tied using premium quality fly tying material by professional fly tiers and anglers.
Battle of Champion Hill (May 16, 1863) (Popularity: ): Narrative on the battle with order of battle,diaries and accounts, official records, killed and wounded, history, batllefield preservation, and an online tour.