Response of physically mature maize embryos to Fusarium verticillioides volatiles: An insight into lipoxygenase pathways

At physiological maturity (PM), the maize grain shows a metabolic and gene transcriptional basal rate which is mainly related to primary metabolism cellular respiration, among other pathways. It well known that adult plants are capable of responding volatile organic compounds, but little evidence this has been observed in seeds. The investigation induction seeds oxylipin metabolism, defense system, might reveal good agronomic implications, as oxylipins play primordial role constitutive inducible chemical defenses. Thus, objective study was evaluate response grains at PM with respect pathways, genetic, enzymatic levels. We exposed volatiles emitted by Fusarium verticillioides, common fungal maize, pure typical fungi, 1-octen-3-ol 3-octanol. results obtained showed these fungi increasing expression genes pathways (ZmLOX12, ZmAOS2 ZmHPL genes) specific activity lipoxygenases (EULOX), compared non-exposed grains. compound, not 3-octanol, also able stimulate EULOX. However, profile metabolites induced did correspond genetic Future studies measure different will be conducted order obtain better understanding induction. Taken together, found indicated embryos presence compounds their metabolism. This could lead advances, such priming improve performance against pathogens during germination. future need hypothesis.