Exogenous Copper Application for the Elemental Defense of Rice Plants against Rice Leaffolder (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis).

ABSTRACT: Metals that accumulate in plants may confer protection against herbivorous insects, a phenomenon known as elemental defense. However, this strategy has not been widely explored in important crops such as rice (Oryza sativa L.), where it could help to reduce the use of chemical pesticides. Here, we investigated the potential of copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) micronutrient supplements for the protection of rice against a major insect pest, the rice leaffolder (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis). We found that intermediate levels of Cu (20 μM CuSO₄) and high concentrations of Fe (742 μM Fe) did not inhibit the growth of C. medinalis larvae but did inhibit rice root growth and reduce grain yield at the reproductive stage. In contrast, high levels of Cu (80 μM CuSO₄

SUBMITTER: Cheah BH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9099555 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature