Dhanyakumar, O and Revanayya, G and Murugan, M and Mishra, S P and Gangashetty, P I and Elaiyabharathi, T and Balasubramani, V and Jaba, J and Yogendra, K (2026) Integrative volatilomics and behavioral analyses reveal sesquiterpene-mediated resistance to Maruca vitrata in pigeonpea and its wild relatives. Pest Management Science. pp. 1-18. ISSN 1526-498X
![[img]](http://oar.icrisat.org/style/images/fileicons/application_pdf.png) |
PDF
- Published Version
Available under License ["licenses_description_cc_attribution" not defined]. Download (3MB) |
Abstract
BACKGROUND The legume pod borer Maruca vitrata severely damages pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) production, yet genetic resistance remains poorly understood. Improving knowledge of insect–plant interactions is essential for developing resistant genotypes and sustainable management strategies. This study evaluated improved genotypes, landraces, and crop wild relatives (CWRs) of pigeonpea for resistance to M. vitrata under field and laboratory conditions. RESULTS Across evaluations, ICP 9273 and ICPHaRL 4985-11 showed the lowest larval incidence, while several CWRs remained uninfested. Antibiosis assays revealed minimal pod damage in Cajanus scarabaeoides (ICP 15716), Rhynchosia suaveolens (ICP 15867), and C. platycarpus (ICP 15669). Antixenosis tests identified Gudalore as highly oviposition-preferred and ICPHaRL 4985-11 as least preferred; free-choice assays confirmed Edapadi as most susceptible and ICP 9273 as least attractive. CWRs ICP 15669, ICP 15712, and ICP 15716 were consistently less attractive than the susceptible check ICPL 87. Untargeted gas chromatography–mass spectrometry profiling detected general attractants (decanol, 1-octanol, dodecane) and sesquiterpenes (β-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, farnesene, linalool), with unique enrichment of these compounds in R. suaveolens. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations showed strong binding of β-caryophyllene and farnesene to M. vitrata general odorant-binding protein 2, suggesting a role in host recognition. Behavioral assays demonstrated that β-caryophyllene acts as a female repellent and a male attractant at 100 000 ng μL−1 concentrations. CONCLUSION This integrative study identifies novel resistance traits in pigeonpea and CWRs and highlights the value of combining volatilomics, molecular modeling, and behavioral assays to elucidate host selection mechanisms, supporting the development of M. vitrata-resistant cultivars and sustainable pest management. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Divisions: | Global Research Program - Accelerated Crop Improvement |
| CRP: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | GC–MS, host plant resistance, leaf and flower surface-emitted volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), pigeonpea and its wild relatives, volatilomics |
| Subjects: | Mandate crops > Pigeonpea Others > Genetics and Genomics |
| Depositing User: | Mr Nagaraju T |
| Date Deposited: | 18 May 2026 05:14 |
| Last Modified: | 18 May 2026 05:14 |
| URI: | http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/13626 |
| Official URL: | https://scijournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/fu... |
| Projects: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Funders: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Acknowledgement: | The authors acknowledge the pigeonpea breeding team and Genebank-ICRISAT, Hyderabad, for providing seeds of improved ICPL genotypes and crop wild relatives of pigeonpea. We also thank Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), India for supplying the pigeonpea landraces. We extend our gratitude to Hemalatha Sanivarapu, Rajendra Badbadwal, Venkata Ramana, and Rajendra Prasad for their extensive support and assistance during the field and laboratory experiments. |
| Links: |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
Altmetric
Altmetric