The Problem

The hydroxamic acids (HAs) are plant defence compounds biosynthesised in cereals, including wheat, that deter insects and are secreted from roots to deter weeds. The need for a more acceptable natural product solution to pest control in wheat is clearly evident and it is widely accepted that prophylactic pest control agents should be avoided. There is likely to be significant variation in HA content in UK wheats.

Project Aims

To investigate the potential of the hydroxamic acids for pest control against insects, in particular aphids, and other antagonistic organisms in wheat.

Approach

Determine the degree of variation in the levels of HA production and of expression of genes in the HA biosynthetic pathway in a broad range of 50 wheat varieties. Confirm that the HA concentration and gene expression levels correlate sufficiently with aphid resistance. Confirm that HA production and expression of genes can be induced, both in high and low producing elite cultivars.  Determine whether segregating populations exist, within the UK wheat breeder's collection between parents with extreme constitutive or induced HA levels that can be used to map the underlying genetic components and provide the basis for marker-assisted breeding selection. And to explore the effects of HAs on other insects, e.g. gout fly, and on weeds, specifically black-grass.

Benefits to the industry

If successful the work is likely to result in important new developments in insect resistance. BWB, a steering group that identifies research objectives for public-private partnerships, has identified this as a key area of interest, based on commercial, environmental and sustainability analysis. Project outputs will be utilised immediately for breeding strategy, crossing decisions and progeny selection, leading to varieties with enhanced pest resistance.