Tropical maize germplasm with reduced attractiveness to the Dalbulus maidis leafhopper vector for corn stunting disease management

Overview

This research collaboration opportunity focuses on identifying tropical maize germplasm that is naturally less attractive to the Dalbulus maidis leafhopper, the primary insect vector of several devastating corn stunting diseases. By characterizing the volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles that differentiate tropical from temperate maize varieties, the project aims to deliver breeding recommendations that reduce vector pressure and disease transmission in maize crops.

Technical specifications

Key findings supporting the research:

• Temperate maize hybrids release significantly higher quantities of VOCs compared to tropical hybrids and landraces, with their volatile profile dominated by (±)-linalool
• D. maidis consistently prefers the odour emitted by temperate hybrids over tropical varieties
• A maize landrace produced more than six-fold larger quantities of induced volatiles after herbivory, and these volatiles made the plants less attractive to D. maidis
• Preliminary behavioural analyses on additional temperate and tropical germplasms confirm that tropical plants are generally less preferred by the vector

Planned validation activities:

• Expanded behavioural preference assays across multiple tropical and temperate maize germplasm accessions
• Comprehensive volatile chemical analysis comparing constitutive and herbivory-induced VOC emissions
• Gene mapping to identify genetic loci responsible for reduced attractiveness in tropical germplasm, in collaboration with Dr. Ted Turlings at the Université de Neuchâtel
• Development of breeding recommendations specifically targeting corn stunting disease transmitted by D. maidis

Technology readiness level

The research is at an early to mid-stage development level. Preliminary behavioural and chemical data have been collected on multiple germplasm accessions, confirming the hypothesis that tropical maize is less attractive to the D. maidis vector. The next phase involves broadening the analysis to a larger set of germplasm accessions and mapping the underlying genetic determinants. This collaboration opportunity seeks partners interested in advancing the work toward practical breeding applications for managing corn stunting diseases.