Title : Changes in the free phenolic acids content in maize kernels after the different crop protection strategies for European corn borer attack
Abstract:
After wheat and rice, maize is one of the most economically important cereal grains. It is exposed to various weather conditions, which can affect the occurrence and intensity of Ostrinia nubilalis Hübn infestation. O. nubilalis larvae feeding on maize can lead to mechanical damage to the aboveground parts of the plant, disrupting the transport of nutrients and water. Additionally, phenolic acids are known for their various nutritional and antioxidant activities and are constitutive antimicrobial compounds of plants. The main goal of this research is to investigate the relationship between changes in free phenolic acid levels following pesticide treatments in the maize kernels of three different maize hybrids. The experiment involved seven treatments (two seed treatments and four foliar treatments) and an untreated control, with three repetitions. Free phenolic acids (protocatechuic, vanillic, p-coumaric, and ferulic) were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a photodiode array detector (DAD). The HPLC analysis showed that ferulic and p-coumaric acids were the dominant compounds in the analyzed samples. The effect of one seed pesticide treatment application was reflected in an increase in all analyzed phenolic acids in one hybrid. Pesticide treatments mainly caused a reduction in phenolic acid content. However, the increase of some phenolic acids content under different pesticide treatments may indicated the advantages and disadvantages of different treatments, which might be useful in maize crop protection strategies.
- The methodology can be applied to analyzed other species
- Safe crop protection strategies for pest control are an essential factor for future agriculture
- The results presented can be the starting point for other phytochemical alterations after pesticide treatments
