ROLE OF 2,4-DIHYDROXY-7-METHOXY-1,4-BENZOXAZIN-3-ONE (DIMBOA) IN THE RESISTANCE OF MAIZE TO WESTERN CORN-ROOTWORM, DIABROTICA-VIRGIFERA-VIRGIFERA (LECONTE) (COLEOPTERA, CHRYSOMELIDAE)

2,4-Dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIMBOA), the major hydroxamic acid present in corn root, was studied for its effects on western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera (LeConte). Exogenously applied DIMBOA caused mortality in western corn rootworm larvae feeding on fresh corn roots. The LC50 (lethal concentration for 50% mortality) value (fiducial limits) was 153 ppm (108-209) and the LC90 value was 917 ppm (560-2297). The deleterious effects of DIMBOA on western corn rootworm larvae possibly are due to both feeding deterrence and toxicity. In a replicated pot trial during two growing seasons, two corn lines developed by Agriculture Canada from CIMMYT collections, ITR 3872 with high DIMBOA content in roots, and NTR-2 Ger. 4042 with low DIMBOA content in roots, were evaluated for resistance to western corn rootworm larvae. The results indicated that the high DIMBOA line (but not the low DIMBOA line) stressed western corn rootworm larvae to produce inferior adults based on the measurement of adult emergence number, adult weight, and adult head-capsule width. The effect of western corn rootworm on both corn lines with different DIMBOA levels was measured based on plant growth parameters including plant height, stem thickness, plant fresh weight, root fresh weight, plant dry weight, and root dry weight. ITR 3872 (high DIMBOA) showed significantly less damage than NTR-2 Ger. 4042 (low DIMBOA) in almost all plant parameters measured. The results suggest that DIMBOA may in some instances contribute to the resistance of corn to western corn rootworm larvae.