Protecting rice plants by exploiting their natural defences
- Analysis of chemical signals sent by plants under attack by brown planthopper could help in natural control of pest
SELANGOR, Malaysia, Sep 05, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Researchers in Indonesia have deciphered the chemical cues used by rice to attract a parasitoid that helps fight off the plant's predator. The researchers created a system to imitate these cues, which could help investigate similar interactions in other crops and possible sources of non-toxic pest control.
| The brown planthopper is one of rice's most destructive pests. Researchers in Indonesia investigated if they could develop a nontoxic pesticide based on the rice's own chemical signals. |
| The extraction process. |
| The field experiment set-up. |
Rice is a staple food, relied upon by half the global population. The brown planthopper (BPH) is one of rice's most destructive pests, causing damage by wounding the stem of the plants to lay the eggs for the next attack and by transmitting viruses that attack the plant.
Researchers from Universitas Negeri Malang and the Indonesian Sweetener and Fibre Crops Research Institute wanted to see if they could target the brown planthopper without using pesticides known to harm the environment. To do this, they investigated the so-called 'tritrophic interaction' between rice, the brown planthopper and the parasitoids that prey on the brown planthopper's eggs.
They extracted samples from rice infected by the brown planthopper and analysed their chemical makeup. They then compared this to what they found in samples taken from healthy rice, identifying the chemical differences between healthy and infested rice.
They created a porous material from rice husk and soaked different pieces in chemicals extracted from either healthy or infected rice. In laboratory tests, the parasites were more attracted to the material infused with the infested sample. They also attached infused materials to posts and placed them outside in a rice field. Again, they found more parasitoids on the infected sample, but the researchers observed that the effect wore off over five days, so the samples effectively had an expiration date.
The results, published in the Pertanika Journal of Science and Technology, could guide further trials to see if applying the chemical cue could actually reduce the pest's destruction of rice paddies; and if so, to what degree. The use of analytical chemistry offers insights into the mechanisms underlying these interactions and detect small changes taking place in great detail.
They note that their technique exploring the interaction between plant, pest and the pest's own predator on a chemical level requires further refinement, but could eventually be applied to other agricultural crops and potentially reduce the use of harmful pesticides.
For more information, contact: Dr. Surjani Wonorahardjo Chemistry Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Science Universitas Negeri Malang Indonesia Email: surjani.wonorahardjo@um.ac.id
About Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology (JST) Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology (JST) is published by Universiti Putra Malaysia in English and is open to authors around the world regardless of nationality. Currently, it is published twice a year in January and July. Other Pertanika series include Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science (JTAS), and Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities (JSSH).
Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology aims to provide a forum for high quality research related to science and engineering research. Areas relevant to the scope of the journal include: bioinformatics, bioscience, biotechnology and bio-molecular sciences, chemistry, computer science, ecology, engineering, engineering design, environmental control and management, mathematics and statistics, medicine and health sciences, nanotechnology, physics, safety and emergency management, and related fields of study.
For more information about the journal, contact: Chief Executive Editor (UPM Journals) Pertanika Journal Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (R&I) Tower II. UPM-MTDC, Putra Science Park, Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan MALAYSIA Tel: +603 8947 1616 Email: executive_editor.pertanika@upm.my
Press release distributed by ResearchSEA for Pertanika Journal.
Source: Pertanika Journal Sectors: Agritech, Science & Research
Copyright ©2024 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Asia Corporate News Network.
|
Latest Release
First-ever Mazda CX-80 Crossover SUV Unveiled in Europe Apr 19, 2024 13:50 JST
| Fujitsu develops technology to convert corporate digital identity credentials, enabling participation of non-European companies in European data spaces Apr 19, 2024 10:17 JST
| Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and NGK to Jointly Develop Hydrogen Purification System from Ammonia Cracking Gas Apr 18, 2024 17:01 JST
| Toyota Launches All-New Land Cruiser "250" Series in Japan Apr 18, 2024 13:39 JST
| Fujitsu and Oracle collaborate to deliver sovereign cloud and AI capabilities in Japan Apr 18, 2024 11:14 JST
| Eisai: Research on Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease Based on Its Pathological Mechanisms Recieves Award for Science and Technology (Research Category) Apr 18, 2024 10:53 JST
| All-New Triton Confirmed as First Double-Cab Pickup Truck to Achieve 2024 Five-Star ANCAP Safety Rating Apr 18, 2024 09:22 JST
| Eisai's Antiepileptic Drug Fycompa Injection Formulation Launched In Japan Apr 17, 2024 16:17 JST
| Honda Unveils Next-generation EV Series for China Apr 17, 2024 12:15 JST
| Lexus presents Time at the 2024 Milan Design Week Apr 16, 2024 18:49 JST
| Mitsubishi Corporation Announces Participation in a DAC Project in Louisiana, USA Apr 16, 2024 14:36 JST
| New circuit challenge for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Apr 15, 2024 17:21 JST
| TOYOTA GAZOO Racing back on asphalt for Croatian challenge Apr 12, 2024 19:36 JST
| Heidelberg Materials North America Announces Latest Milestone in Edmonton CCUS Project Apr 12, 2024 14:39 JST
| MHIAEL Completes Expansion of the its Nagasaki Plant for Manufacture of Aero Engine Combustors Apr 11, 2024 18:08 JST
| Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Acquires Approval in Principle (AiP) from Classification Society ClassNK for Ammonia Fuel Supply System (AFSS) Apr 11, 2024 17:50 JST
| DOCOMO, NTT, NEC and Fujitsu Develop Top-level Sub-terahertz 6G Device Capable of Ultra-high-speed 100 Gbps Transmission Apr 11, 2024 15:10 JST
| Mitsubishi Corporation Announces Completion of Capital Raise by Nexamp Apr 11, 2024 13:07 JST
| Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Receives Order for Ammonia Fuel Supply System for Ammonia-Powered Marine Engine Apr 10, 2024 16:55 JST
| Transgene and NEC Present First Clinical Benefits of Neoantigen Cancer Vaccine, TG4050, in Head & Neck Cancer at AACR 2024 Apr 10, 2024 13:36 JST
|
More Latest Release >>
|