Entomopathogenic Nematodes Induce Metabolic Reallocation in Maize Roots without Altering Root Herbivore Performance

Entomopathogenic Nematodes Induce Metabolic Reallocation in Maize Roots without Altering Root Herbivore Performance | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL Plant, Cell & Environment This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 6 June 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Entomopathogenic Nematodes Induce Metabolic Reallocation in Maize Roots without Altering Root Herbivore Performance Authors : Arletys M. Verdecia-Mogena 0000-0002-9437-0197 , Paul Himmighofen 0000-0002-1325-9113 , Pierre Mateo 0000-0003-4338-3024 , Keerthi Divakaran , Mirco Hecht , Rimjhim R. Choudhury , Christian Parisod 0000-0001-8798-0897 , and Christelle Robert 0000-0003-3415-2371 [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174918965.53456893/v1 491 views 219 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are key biological control agents in agriculture, but their direct effects on plant metabolism and resistance to herbivory remain underexplored. By combining transcriptomic, metabolomic, and herbivore assays, this study aimed at providing a holistic description of maize root responses to EPNs and to assess their potential relevance for plant-herbivore interactions. EPNs triggered a dynamic shift in root metabolism, suggesting a reallocation of primary resources towards chemical defences. After 72 hours, pathways related to ethylene signalling and protein folding, and turnover were downregulated, while pathways for protein export were enriched. Amino acid levels, particularly glutamate and aspartate, decreased, while glucose levels were induced. In parallel, enrichments in alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, glycan biosynthesis, and, albeit not significantly, cutin, suberine, and wax biosynthesis pathways suggested enhanced barrier functions and lipid signalling. Secondary metabolite concentrations, such as benzoxazinoids, were increased. Yet, the overall plant response remained of modest magnitude, as illustrated by a low number of differentially expressed genes exceeding 200 reads. Consistently, EPN exposure did not enhance resistance to subsequent herbivory by the root herbivores Diabrotica balteata or Diabrotica virgifera virgifera . However, the plant responses might influence other belowground interactions, such as those involving plant-microbes or plant-parasitic nematodes, calling for further investigations. Supplementary Material File (verdecia_mogena, himmighofen et al_co-authors.docx) Download 2.67 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 06 June 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Collection Plant, Cell & Environment Keywords entomopathogenic nematodes maize metabolome metabalome root herbivory secondary metabolism tritrophic interactions Authors Affiliations Arletys M. Verdecia-Mogena 0000-0002-9437-0197 Universitat Bern Institut fur Pflanzenwissenschaften View all articles by this author Paul Himmighofen 0000-0002-1325-9113 Julius Kuhn-Institut Berlin View all articles by this author Pierre Mateo 0000-0003-4338-3024 Universitat Bern Institut fur Pflanzenwissenschaften View all articles by this author Keerthi Divakaran Universitat Bern Institut fur Pflanzenwissenschaften View all articles by this author Mirco Hecht Universitat Bern Institut fur Pflanzenwissenschaften View all articles by this author Rimjhim R. Choudhury University of Fribourg View all articles by this author Christian Parisod 0000-0001-8798-0897 University of Fribourg View all articles by this author Christelle Robert 0000-0003-3415-2371 [email protected] Universitat Bern Institut fur Pflanzenwissenschaften View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 491 views 219 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Arletys M. Verdecia-Mogena, Paul Himmighofen, Pierre Mateo, et al. Entomopathogenic Nematodes Induce Metabolic Reallocation in Maize Roots without Altering Root Herbivore Performance. Authorea . 06 June 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174918965.53456893/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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