Author
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WAGNER, BRUCE - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY |
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LEWIS, LESLIE |
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Submitted to: Nature
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 6/4/2000 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: The European corn borer is a primary pest of corn in the US Corn Belt and in the major corn growing regions of Europe. Researchers are continuously investigating ways of managing this insect that are biologically based. Recently, scientists discovered that a fungus, Beauveria bassiana, that kills the European corn borer larva (the life stage that bores into the plant), will enter the corn plant similar to the way it enters an insect. The fungus lands on the corn leaf, sticks to the leaf, germinates, grows across the leaf and penetrates the leaf. The fungus grows within the plant and is available to kill any European corn borers that are present. This research provides an unique, environmentally safe approach to managing this serious pests of corn. Commercial firms that produce biological control products, corn growers and the consumer will benefit from this research. Technical Abstract: Fungi are known to colonize plants, usually as phytopathogens or symbionts. This is the first report of an entomopathogenic fungus (Beauveria bassiana) penetrating and colonizing a plant in a manner similar to when it invades an insect host. Light and electron microscopy was used to document this fungus penetrating the leaves of maize and establishing an endophytic relationship within the plant. This association then provides internal protection against invading insects. Understanding this unique relationship will be invaluable in further development and utilization of such fungi to manage insect pests of agricultural crops. |
