Transcriptome responses in maize-western corn rootworm interaction: a two-way approach

The Western Corn Rootworm (WCR; Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) is an important below ground pest for maize. Below WCR feeding weakens maize root system, which will impact nutrients and water uptake, and creates entry points for fungal and bacterial pathogens, increases the chances for their lodging, resulting in economic loss. A maize genotype, Mp708, developed by classical plant breeding is resistant to a large guild of herbivore pests. Here, we want investigate the underlying maize defense signaling network between below and above ground tissues, as well as the WCR compensatory transcriptome responses. By using a transcriptomic approach, we identified genes differentially expressed in both tissues and genes commonly up or downregulated between root and leaves after 5 dpi (days post infestation). We identified plant defense gene function with positive activity in roots at 5 dpi. The investigation of the WCR transcriptome shown that toxic genes were downregulated at 5 dpi. Altogether, these results suggest that intraplant communication contributes to defense against WCR in maize.