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Stylar canal architecture of maize is not an indicator of resistance to Fusarium verticillioides infection

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Abstract

Fusarium verticillioides causes Fusarium ear rot (FER) of maize and contaminates the grain with mycotoxins called fumonisins. Structural barriers that prevent infection include a closed stylar canal of kernels, which has been suggested to contribute to resistance to FER. In this study, the stylar canal architecture of nine maize inbred lines, characterised for their response to F. verticillioides, was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. The stylar canal of ovaries, sampled at 1–2 weeks before pollination, and maturing kernels sampled at approximately 1 month after self-pollination, were evaluated. Three inbred lines, CML 390 (highly resistant), RO 544 W (intermediately resistant) and R2565y (susceptible), had ovaries predominantly with closed stylar canals, with 92, 95 and 64.3% of the canals viewed as closed, respectively. Other highly resistant (CML 444, VO 617Y-2 and US 2540 W), intermediately resistant (RO 549 W) and susceptible (R119W and I137tnW) inbred lines displayed a mostly open stylar canal prior to pollination. The stylar canals of all inbred lines were mostly closed 1 month after pollination (90.3–100%). No significant association was found between stylar canal architecture and the FER-resistance status of the maize lines evaluated for ovaries and maturing maize kernels (P > 0.05). The results of the study suggest that the stylar canal architecture may facilitate fungal ingress but does not play a pivotal role in resistance to F. verticillioides.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the following people: Ms. M. Frazenburg (Central Analytical Facility, Stellenbosch University) for assistance with microscopy imaging and Ms. M. Van Der Rijst (Agriculture Research Council-Infruitec) for the statistical analyses.

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Funding

This study was funded by the South African Maize Trust and the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Pathology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    Meagan van Dyk, Altus Viljoen & Lindy Joy Rose

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  1. Meagan van Dyk
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  2. Altus Viljoen
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  3. Lindy Joy Rose
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All authors contributed to the conception and study design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by M. van Dyk. The first draft of the manuscript was written by M. van Dyk and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Lindy Joy Rose.

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van Dyk, M., Viljoen, A. & Rose, L.J. Stylar canal architecture of maize is not an indicator of resistance to Fusarium verticillioides infection. Eur J Plant Pathol 161, 475–481 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-021-02327-3

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