Canadian Forest Service Publications
Evidence of a direct chemical plant defense role for maltol against spruce budworm. 2019. Williams, M.; Eveleigh, E.S.; Forbes, G.; Lamb, R.; Roscoe, L.; Silk, P.J. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, Volume 167, Issue 8 Pages 755-762
Year: 2019
Issued by: Atlantic Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 39893
Language: English
Availability: PDF (download)
Available from the Journal's Web site. †
DOI: 10.1111/eea.12822
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Abstract
This study examines the direct chemical defensive role of maltol, a previously identified secondary metabolite found in balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. (Pinaceae), that was detected during herbivory of spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Although used extensively in many industries, in addition to being found in multiple plant species, its functional role in plants remains unknown. The objectives of this study were to quantify the amount of free maltol and its potential conjugated form, maltol glucoside, in various foliage age classes and to evaluate whether constitutive foliage levels of maltol have an impact on spruce budworm fitness in maltol supplementation assays. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of balsam fir foliage showed that maltol is produced in all foliage age classes tested; however, concentrations were significantly higher in older foliage. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry–mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) analysis showed thatmaltol also exists in balsamfir in its glucosylated form, a unique discovery in conifers. Similar to maltol, maltol glucoside is also present in current and 1-year-old balsam fir foliage and in significantly higher concentration in older foliage. We investigated the impact of maltol-treated diet on spruce budworm fitness. Maltol additions that reflected constitutive foliage concentrations caused a significant reduction in larval development rate and pupal mass, whereas higher concentrations were required to cause significant mortality. These results suggest that maltol may be an important component of a direct defense strategy in balsam fir against spruce budwormherbivory.
Plain Language Summary
This study examines the direct chemical defensive role of maltol, a previously identified secondary metabolite found in balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) that was detected during spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.)) herbivory. Foliage analysis of maltol and its conjugated form, maltol glucoside, in balsam fir and impacts of maltol-treated diet on spruce budworm fitness were investigated. Maltol additions that reflected constitutive foliage concentrations caused a significant reduction in larval development rate and pupal mass, whereas higher concentrations were required to cause significant mortality. These results suggest that maltol may be an important component of a direct defence strategy in balsam fir against spruce budworm herbivory.