Plant immunity: unraveling the complex interactions between plants and phloem-feeding aphids.

Dr. Joe Louis, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Department of Entomology

Abstract. Maize (Zea mays L.) is arguably the world’s significant cereal crop, but also suffers severe yield losses due to insect infestation. In this talk, I will provide information about maize defense signaling mechanisms that are involved in modulating maize defenses. The mechanisms that contribute to maize resistance to phloem-sap feeding insects involve callose deposition, interactions among phytohormones and aboveground to below ground defense signaling in maize. These will be discussed along with their relationship to Maize insect resistance1-Cysteine Protease (Mir1-CP), which is a key defensive protein against insect pests in maize.