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Fungal Endophyte Beauveria bassiana Provides Dual Pest Protection in Maize

Jaber L, Ownley B, Vega F

Summary

PubMed

A beneficial fungus living inside corn provides built-in pest protection: 78% less armyworm damage and 45% fewer aphids.

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Key Findings

1

92% colonization at 60 days

2

78% armyworm damage reduction

3

45% aphid reduction

description

Original Abstract

Seed inoculation with B. bassiana established persistent endophytic colonization in maize (92% of plants at 60 days). Colonized plants showed 78% reduction in fall armyworm damage and 45% reduction in aphid populations. The endophyte produced beauvericin in planta at sub-phytotoxic levels.

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This connects to 9 other discoveries — 1 species, 4 topics, 4 related articles

Species Mentioned

Maize
eco Maize

Maize, also known as corn in North American English, is a tall stout grass that produces cereal grain. The leafy stalk of the plant gives rise to male inflorescences or tassels which produce pollen, and female inflorescences called ears. The ears yield grain, known as kernels or seeds. In modern ...

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