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Recurrent selection for corn earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) resistance in three closely related corn southern synthetics.

Plant resistance offers a good alternative to pesticides for protecting corn (Zea mays L.) from attack by corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie). The GT-CEW-RS8 synthetic is a breeding population with some resistance to corn earworm, but based on variability for this trait, further improvement was possible in this population. S1 recurrent selection for corn earworm resistance was conducted to improve three synthetics derived from GT-CEW-RS8. The objective of this research was to study the effectiveness of these selection programs to increase insect resistance and maintain agronomic performance. Cycles of selection for each population were evaluated under four environments. Significant gains in resistance were realized, but all three synthetics derived from GT-CEW-RS8 showed a negative response for yield. However, yield losses were not very dramatic for 66RM4 and inbreeding depression would not affect the yield performance in hybrid combination. Selection for yield done simultaneously with selection for reducing ear damage by corn earworm and husk tightness could assist in avoiding decreased yield.

Animals↗

Population densities of corn flea beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and incidence of Stewart's wilt in sweet corn.

To quantify populations of the corn flea beetle, Chaetocnema pulicaria Melsheimer (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and refine estimates of a threshold for its control to prevent Stewart's wilt caused by Erwinia stewartii, sequential plantings of 'Jubilee' sweet corn were made at 2-wk intervals from April or May through August or September 2001 and 2002 at four locations from southern to northern Illinois: Simpson, Brownstown, Champaign, and Mendota. Densities of C. pulicaria and incidence of Stewart's wilt were monitored weekly. At Mendota, where C. pulicaria populations were decimated by cold temperatures during winter 2000-2001, densities reached 33.3 beetles per 15-cm yellow sticky trap per day by September 2002, after a mild 2001-2002 winter. Maximum incidence of Stewart's wilt in single plots at Simpson, Brownstown, Champaign, and Mendota was 22, 36, 39, and 2%, respectively, in 2001, and 33, 47, 99, and 87%, respectively, in 2002. In 24 plots where beetle densities were < or =2 per trap per day, Stewart's wilt incidence was <5% in 20 plots. We propose that two corn flea beetles per trap per day be used as a threshold for insecticide application to seedlings to control C. pulicaria and minimize subsequent incidence of Stewart's wilt in processing sweet corn. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays indicated that E. stewartii incidence in C. pulicaria peaked at 67, 62, and 54%, respectively, at Simpson, Brownstown, and Champaign, in 2001, and at 71, 76, and 60%, respectively, in 2002. Further studies might allow the use of areawide or field-specific estimates of E. stewartii incidence in corn flea beetles for adjusting management decisions.

Animals↗

Dispersal of newly eclosed European corn borer adults (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) from corn into small-grain aggregation plots.

Genetically modified, insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn, Zea mays L., hybrids are used throughout the Corn Belt for European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), control. To slow development of Bt corn resistance, the Environmental Protection Agency requires growers to plant a refuge. Determining the appropriate distance between a refuge and Bt corn, and development of mitigation-remediation strategies such as mass releases of susceptible moths, requires an understanding of adult dispersal and mating behavior. However, much remains unknown about these behaviors. Because mating often occurs in grass near cornfields where adult O. nubilalis aggregate, we planted small-grain plots as aggregation sites in an attempt to retain mass-released adults. The objectives of this study were to examine influences of pheromone lure, plant density, and plant species on distributions of feral and newly emerged, laboratory-reared O. nubilalis among small-grain aggregation plots. Feral adults were collected in aggregation plots in relative abundance, indicating that small-grain plots were acceptable aggregation sites. In contrast, newly emerged adults that were released weekly as dye-marked pupae were rarely found in aggregation plots, with approximately 150-1,500-fold fewer adults captured than expected if all released adults had occupied the plots for > or = 1 d. The majority of newly emerged adults did not colonize the aggregation plots, suggesting that recently eclosed adults leave their natal field and do not colonize the first aggregation sites encountered. Plant species significantly influenced adult distributions among aggregation plots. Mass releases of laboratory-reared pupae in the field may not be a viable remediation tactic because almost all of the newly emerged adults dispersed beyond 300 m of the release point.

Alleles↗

Wet corn distillers byproducts compared with dried corn distillers grains with solubles as a source of protein and energy for ruminants.

Five trials investigated the feeding value of wet and dried corn distillers byproducts as a source of protein and energy for growing and finishing cattle and investigated the effect of heat damage on the feeding value of dried distillers byproducts. In a calf growth trial, no differences in rate of gain or protein efficiency were observed among calves fed wet distillers byproducts (wet distillers grains + thin stillage; WDB) or one of three composites of dried distillers grain + solubles (DDGS) having a low, medium, or high concentration of ADIN. A finishing trial compared the energy value of dry-rolled corn (DRC) with WDB or the three DDGS composites, fed at 40% of the diet DM replacing DRC. Cattle consuming WDB or DDGS gained faster (P < .05) and more efficiently (P < .05) than cattle fed DRC. Although gains were similar, cattle fed WDB consumed less feed (P < .10) and were more efficient (P < .10) than cattle fed DDGS. Level of ADIN in DDGS did not affect efficiency of gain (P > .10). In a lamb finishing trial, the addition of 5 or 10% ethanol did not affect (P > .10) daily gain, DMI, or feed efficiency. In two metabolism trials with steers, grain byproducts (wet distillers grains, dry distillers grains plus solubles, wet corn gluten feed, dry corn gluten feed, hominy feed) and DRC had similar effects on ruminal pH and total VFA. Feeding thin stillage or condensed solubles reduced (P < .10) ruminal pH and tended to reduce acetate:propionate. Wet corn distillers byproducts, fed at 40% of the diet DM, contain more NEg than did DRC and drying WDB reduces its NEg content. Acid detergent insoluble N is a poor indicator of protein and energy value in distillers grains.

Animal Feed↗

Peripartum responses of dairy cows to partial substitution of corn silage with corn grain in diets fed during the late dry period.

We randomly assigned 189 cows in a commercial dairy farm to dietary treatments with supplemental corn grain (SC) or without supplemental corn grain (NC) approximately 3 wk before expected parturition. Diets formulated were similar except that dry ground corn replaced 21% of the corn silage in one diet. Cows fed SC had reduced plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate and tended to have increased plasma insulin concentrations prepartum compared with cows fed NC. Treatment did not affect nonesterified fatty acid concentrations prepartum, any blood variables postpartum, or incidences of health disorders. Effects of treatment on production responses were highly dependent on parity as indicated by parity x treatment x time interactions for milk and protein yields. Primiparous cows fed SC had lower milk protein yield, higher somatic cell count and days open compared with cows fed NC. The SC diet resulted in lower milk yields in early lactation and increased somatic cell count and days open for cows in second parity. However, cows in third parity or greater fed the SC diet yielded more milk and protein in early lactation, and had decreased somatic cell counts and days open. Increasing the corn grain concentration of the diet fed prepartum was advantageous to third and greater parity cows in this experiment, but showed no benefits during lactation for cows in first or second parities.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

Worldwide survey of fumonisin contamination of corn and corn-based products.

As part of a comprehensive risk assessment study for fumonisins, reliable data on exposure of populations to these dietary toxins must be obtained. To assess the extent of worldwide exposure, the published literature on the contamination of food and feed supplies has been reviewed and supplemented with unpublished material from various international sources. Fumonisin contamination of corn and corn-based products occurs in many countries. Animal mycotoxicoses such as equine leukoencephalomalacia and porcine pulmonary edema are caused by heavily contaminated animal feeds. For example, as much as 330 micrograms/g fumonisin B1 (FB1) has been found in swine feed. Although commercially available refined corn products for human consumption are generally contaminated at levels below 1 microgram/g FB1, individual products in certain countries can reach far higher levels. Health risks associated with consumption of these products depend on the extent to which they are consumed in a varied diet. Home-grown corn in certain rural areas, where it also constitutes the staple diet, can be contaminated at > 100 micrograms/g. Consumption of corn contaminated at these high levels has been associated with a high incidence of esophageal cancer in these areas.

Animal Feed↗

Frequency of alleles conferring resistance to Bt maize in French and US corn belt populations of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis.

Farmers, industry, governments and environmental groups agree that it would be useful to manage transgenic crops producing insecticidal proteins to delay the evolution of resistance in target pests. The main strategy proposed for delaying resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt) toxins in transgenic crops is the high-dose/refuge strategy. This strategy is based on the unverified assumption that resistance alleles are initially rare (<10(-3)). We used an F(2) screen on >1,200 isofemale lines of Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) collected in France and the US corn belt during 1999-2001. In none of the isofemale lines did we detect alleles conferring resistance to Bt maize producing the Cry1Ab toxin. A Bayesian analysis of the data indicates that the frequency of resistance alleles in France was <9.20 x 10(-4) with 95% probability, and a detection probability of >80%. In the northern US corn belt, the frequency of resistance to Bt maize was <4.23 x 10(-4) with 95% probability, and a detection probability of >90%. Only 95 lines have been screened from the southern US corn belt, so these data are still inconclusive. These results suggest that resistance is probably rare enough in France and the northern US corn belt for the high-dose plus refuge strategy to delay resistance to Bt maize.

Alleles↗

Detoxification of corn stover and corn starch pyrolysis liquors by ligninolytic enzymes of Phanerochaete chrysosporium.

Phanerochaete chrysosporium (ATCC 24725) shake flask culture with 3 mM veratryl alcohol addition on day 3 was able to grow and detoxify different concentrations of diluted corn stover (Dcs) and diluted corn starch (Dst) pyrolysis liquors [10, 25, and 50% (v/v)] in defined media. GC-MS analysis of reaction products showed a decrease and change in some compounds. In addition, the total phenolic assay with Dcs samples demonstrated a decrease in the phenolic compounds. A bioassay employing Lactobacillus casei growth and lactic acid production was developed to confirm the removal of toxic compounds from 10 and 25% (v/v) Dcs and Dst by the lignolytic enzymes, but not from 50% (v/v) Dcs and Dst. The removal did not occur when sodium azide or cycloheximide was added to Ph. chrysosporium culture media, confirming the participation of lignolytic enzymes in the detoxification process. A concentrated enzyme preparation decreased the phenolic compounds in 10% (v/v) corn stover and corn starch pyrolysis liquors to the same extent as the fungal cultures.

Cycloheximide↗

Insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis protect corn from corn rootworms.

Field tests of corn co-expressing two new delta-endotoxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have demonstrated protection from root damage by western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte). The level of protection exceeds that provided by chemical insecticides. In the bacterium, these proteins form crystals during the sporulation phase of the growth cycle, are encoded by a single operon, and have molecular masses of 14 kDa and 44 kDa. Corn rootworm larvae fed on corn roots expressing the proteins showed histopathological symptoms in the midgut epithelium.

Animals↗

Corn cystatin I expressed in Escherichia coli: investigation of its inhibitory profile and occurrence in corn kernels.

Corn cystatin I was expressed in Escherichia coli as a mature protein. It was purified by gel filtration on Sephadex G-50, ion-exchange HPLC, and reversed-phase HPLC. The purified protein showed strong inhibitory activities against papain (Ki: 3.7 x 10(-8) M), and cathepsins H (Ki: 5.7 x 10(-9) M) and L (Ki: 1.7 x 10(-8) M), whereas it inhibited cathepsin B to a lesser extent (Ki: 2.9 x 10(-7) M). Western blot analysis using antibody raised against corn cystatin I revealed that in the corn kernel, the protein occurs with a molecular mass of approximately 13 kDa. Localization in the aleurone layer and embryo of the corn kernel was shown by immunostaining microscopy.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Attempts to detect transgenic and endogenous plant DNA and transgenic protein in muscle from broilers fed YieldGard Corn Borer Corn.

Questions regarding the digestive fate of DNA and protein from transgenic grain have been raised in regard to human consumption and trade of animal products (e.g., meat, milk, and eggs) from farm animals fed transgenic crops. Using highly sensitive, fully characterized analytical methods, fragments of transgenic and endogenous plant DNA, as well as transgenic protein, were not detected in chicken breast muscle samples from animals fed YieldGard Corn Borer Corn event MON 810 (YG). Total DNA was extracted from breast muscle samples from chickens fed for 42 d with a diet including either 55 to 60% YG grain or 55 to 60% conventional corn grain. DNA preparations were analyzed by PCR followed by Southern blot hybridization for the presence of a 211-bp fragment of the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cry1Ab gene and a 213-bp fragment of the endogenous corn gene sh2 (encoding ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase). By using 1 microg of input DNA per reaction, none of the extracted samples was positive for cry1Ab or sh2 at the limit of detection for these PCR assays. A 396-bp fragment of the chicken ovalbumin (ov) gene, used as a positive control, was amplified from all samples showing that the DNA preparations were amenable to PCR amplification. By using a competitive immunoassay with a limit of detection of approximately 60 ng of CrylAb protein per gram of chicken muscle, neither the CrylAb protein nor immunoreactive peptide fragments were detectable in the breast muscle homogenates from chickens fed YG grain.

Animal Feed↗

Characterization of Nitrate Reductases from Corn Leaves (Zea mays cv W64AxW182E) and Chlorella vulgaris: Sensitivity to a Proteinase Extracted from Corn Roots.

The sensitivity of the two forms of nitrate reductase, NR(I) and NR(II), obtained from the primary leaf of corn, to a limited action corn root proteinase has been examined. The corn inactivating protein (CIP) inhibited the overall reaction (NADH-NR) and the two partial reactions, cytochrome c reductase and reduced methyl viologen NR (MV-NR) of both forms of NR. NADH-cytochrome c reductase was more sensitive to the protease than MV-NR. NR(II) was less sensitive to inactivation than NR(I). When NR(I) and NR(II) were inactivated and then subjected to native gel electrophoresis the protein bands associated with MV-NR activity shifted from an R(m) value of 0.32 to 0.61 for NR(I) and from an R(m) of 0.28 to 0.60 for NR(II). For Chlorella NR these values are 0.32 and 0.70. The initial cleavage of the 116 kilodalton subunit of NR(I) yielded fragments of 84 and 80 kilodaltons after a 5 minute incubation with CIP. With longer incubation times smaller fragments were also identified. For the Chlorella NR the initial cleavage products are approximately 68 and 25 kilodaltons. Longer incubation times also led to smaller fragments. The products of hydrolysis by this limited action protease are quite different for the corn and Chlorella NRs.

Journal Article↗

Contact urticaria and protein contact dermatitis from corn in a patient with serum IgE specific for a salt-soluble corn protein of low molecular weight.

Among the cereals, wheat, rye, barley and oats, have been reported to cause protein contact dermatitis. However, in these cases neither the involvement of an immunological mechanism nor the role of specific protein(s) has been demonstrated. We present a case of protein contact dermatitis from corn. The patient presented with a Type I sensitization to corn, as shown by the presence of specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E and positivity to prick tests with both a flour suspension and the salt-soluble protein fraction of this cereal. The same corn preparations induced a strong urticarial reaction on scratch testing. This reaction was followed several days later by the appearance of erythema and then eczema at the site of application. When boiled, these preparations became inactive on both prick and scratch testing. Patch tests were negative in all cases. Immunoblotting performed with the patient's serum showed the presence of a unique IgE-binding protein band with a molecular weight of around 14 kDa, belonging to the salt-soluble corn protein fraction. Our results give the first clear evidence that cornflour can induce protein contact dermatitis. The IgE-binding 14-kDa protein has characteristics identical to those of the trypsin/alpha-amylase inhibitors from cereals.

Adult↗

Effects of row spacing and plant density on corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) emergence and damage potential to corn.

Planting corn, Zea mays L., in row spacings less than the conventional width of 76 cm has been shown to increase grain yields. This study was conducted to determine if row spacing and plant density affected corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte and D. barberi Smith & Lawrence, adult emergence, larval injury to the roots, and plant tolerance to injury. Field experiments were conducted at Ames and Nashua, IA, in 1998, 1999, and 2000. Treatments were row spacings of 38 and 76 cm, and plant populations of 64,500 and 79,600 plants per hectare. Adult emergence was 31% greater in 38 cm compared with 76-cm rows. However, root injury was not significantly different between row spacings or plant populations. Row spacing alone did not significantly influence tolerance to injury, measured as root size and the amount of root regrowth. However, at one environment where precipitation was low, plants in 38-cm rows produced 25% more regrowth compared with plants in 76-cm rows. Root dry weight and regrowth were suppressed by 16 and 32%, respectively, at the high plant population. Although lodging was 51% lower in the 38-cm rows compared with the 76-cm rows, grain yields were not significantly different between row spacings. Reducing the row spacing of field corn from 76-38 cm should not increase the potential for injury from corn rootworm larvae.

Agriculture↗

Frequency of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry1Ab in southern United States Corn Belt population of European corn borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae).

The high-dose refuge resistance management strategy is the main approach used to delay resistance in targeted pests to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins in transgenic crops. We used an F2 screen to test a critical assumption of the high-dose refuge strategy, which is that resistance allele (R) frequencies are initially rare (<10(-3)) in Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) from the southern Corn Belt. We expanded the methodological scope of the F2 screen so that both males and females may be used to initiate a screen and determined how the results from both sexes may be combined. In total, 62 female and 131 male O. nubilalis lines from Kansas and 39 female and four male lines from Texas were screened. No major resistance alleles were found and estimated R frequency for the southern Corn Belt was updated to between 0 and 0.0044 with 95% credibility. The experiment-wise detection probability was 98.7%. These results suggest the frequency of resistance alleles is low enough that the high-dose refuge resistance management strategy may be effective for delaying resistance evolution in O. nubilalis to Bt corn in the southern Corn Belt.

Animals↗

Evaluation of oviposition deterrence in management of resistance to transgenic corn by European corn borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae).

We modified an existing model for European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), population dynamics and genetics to evaluate the effectiveness of oviposition deterrence in transgenic fields for resistance management. We simulated two types of deterrence: one type has females reducing their oviposition because of lost opportunities to lay eggs (eggs lost), and the other type has the deterred females moving to the refuge to lay eggs. Oviposition deterrence was clearly effective in extending the time to resistance to transgenic corn (R allele) in the European corn borer, particularly when 80% or more of the eggs were deterred from being oviposited on the transgenic plants. With 90% of eggs deterred, the time required to reach 50% R-allele frequency increases 3.7- to 5.5-fold compared with the no-deterrence scenario. The time to 50% R-allele frequency was similar for the two types of simulated deterrence, but the densities of the European corn borer were 100-fold higher when the deterred females oviposited in the refuge. The Y allele for insensitivity or resistance to deterrence never reached 50% within the 50-yr time line for these simulations except when the R allele was dominant and the Y allele was not recessive. The time to 50% Y-allele frequency was 33 and 26 yr when the Y allele was additive or dominant, respectively, when 50% of the eggs were deterred, but the time decreased to 18 and 16 yr when 90% of the eggs were deterred. The effectiveness of oviposition deterrence on time to resistance to transgenic insecticidal plants was not changed much when we altered our assumptions about behavior in a sensitivity analysis.

Animals↗

Alternate day supplementation of corn stalk diets with soybean meal or corn gluten meal fed to ruminants.

Four experiments were conducted to determine the effect of adding corn gluten mean (CGM) or soybean meal (SBM) at 24- or 48-h intervals to diets based on corn stalks. In each experiment corn stalks was the primary diet ingredient fed to wethers or steers. Monensin was also fed to determine whether its effects on ruminal fermentation would improve the efficiency of N utilization under these conditions. Evaluation criteria included ruminal fermentation characteristics, DM intake and utilization, N balance in sheep, and steer feedlot performance. Ruminal ammonia nitrogen (NH3 N) concentrations measured over time were higher (P < .05) when diets contained SBM. Diet did not influence (P > .10) total VFA concentrations in ruminal fluid. Differences in diurnal shifts in ruminal NH3 N and total VFA due to protein source resulted in diet x hour interactions (P < .05). Dry matter intake response to protein source and frequency of supplement feeding was variable. Dry matter digestibility and nitrogen digestibility were not affected (P > .10) by protein source or feeding interval. The 48-h interval feeding of CGM was favorable compared with 24-h interval feeding (P < .05). The opposite response occurred with SBM, resulting in a diet x feeding interval interaction (P < .05). Nitrogen retention was greater (P < .05) when CGM was fed and with alternate day feeding. Diets that contained CGM supported higher (P < .05) ADG and gain/feed than diets that contained SBM when fed to steer calves. Alternate day feeding of supplements that contained monensin was detrimental to steer performance under the conditions of these experiments. Corn gluten meal is an effective substitute for SBM when alternate day protein supplementation is practiced.

Ammonia↗

Evaluating two sources of dried whey and the effects of replacing the corn and dried whey component with corn gluten meal and lactose in the diets of weanling swine.

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of replacing corn and dried whey with corn gluten meal (CGM) and lactose, and to evaluate two sources of edible-grade dried whey that elicited different postweaning pig growth performances. In Exp. 1, two corn-soybean meal (C-SBM) diets without or with 20% dried whey (C-SBM-DW) were formulated to contain 1.15% lysine. A third diet replaced the corn and dried whey component with CGM and lactose. The experiment used 108 crossbred pigs weaned at 23 +/- 2 d of age weighing 6.25 kg BW and was conducted in six replicates as a randomized complete block design. Pig weight gains when the C-SBM-DW diet was fed were poor in one trial, whereas a second trial resulted in improved (P < .01) performance responses to the inclusion of dried whey. The CGM-SBM-lactose diet resulted in pig gains that equaled the performance responses of the C-SBM-DW diet of Trial 2. A second experiment was subsequently designed to evaluate the effects of adding lactose or lactalbumin to the CGM-SBM-DW diets using the two dried whey sources that had been identified as good or poor quality in Exp. 1. Diets included dried whey at a 25% level and were formulated to a low lysine level (.95%) to assess the nutritional efficacy of the dried whey sources.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acids↗