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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Crop Bioprotection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #353737
Research Project: Development of Production and Formulation Technologies for Microbial Biopesticides in Conjunction with the Development of Attractants and Repellents for Invasive Insect Pests

Location: Crop Bioprotection Research

Title: Activity of a maize chitinase-like protein against maize insect pests

Author
item Dowd, Patrick
item Naumann, Todd
item Johnson, Eric
item Price, Neil

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/26/2018
Publication Date: 11/11/2018
Citation: Dowd, P.F., Naumann, T.A., Johnson, E.T., Price, N.P. 2018. Activity of a maize chitinase-like protein against maize insect pests. Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Maize resistance to insects and fungi is thought to be due to the contribution of a number of proteins and secondary metabolites. Identification of the responsible resistance genes can facilitate the development of maize lines suitable for sustainable production. A gene located in an ear rot fungus resistance quantitative trait locus had similarity to a chitinase and was cloned from an ear rot resistant inbred. The gene was expressed in Pichia pastoris expression system and purified. The protein did not have any detectible chitinase activity, and did not bind to a chitin column. However, it caused significant reduction in growth rates of fall armyworm when incorporated into pinto bean and maize leaf diets, and also enhanced antifungal activity of miconazole towards the maize ear rot pathogen Fusarium gramnearum.