Insect-deterring sorghum compounds may be eco-friendly pesticide

Problem

How do we protect plants from pests and pathogens without posing toxic risks to consumers?

Findings

Researchers discovered a group of naturally occurring compounds in sorghum--flavonoid phytoalexins--that act as natural pesticides and fungicides and studied the role of these compounds in the ability of plants to resist or deter pathogens and pests.

Impact

Through the understanding of plant genetics, this project is moving toward breeding sorghum and maize crops that use their own natural defenses to resist biotic stressors.

  • This is a nontoxic, environmentally friendly solution.
  • Use of these crops reduces the need for chemical pesticides.

Related Research Area: Advanced Agricultural and Food Systems

Research Credit

Team

  • Surinder Chopra, Iffa Gaffoor, Sampurna Sattar, Cullen Dixon, Nadia Frock, Juliet Moen, Gary Thompson, Consuelo De Moraes, Mark Mescher, Rupesh Kariyat

Participating Departments

Federal and State Appropriations

  • USDA NIFA Hatch Project PEN04613, Accession # 1010654

Emerging Discoveries

Published Research

Sorghum 3-Deoxyanthocyanidin Flavonoids Confer Resistance against Corn Leaf Aphid

Office for Research and Graduate Education

Address

217 Agricultural Administration Building
University Park, PA 16802-2600

Office for Research and Graduate Education

Address

217 Agricultural Administration Building
University Park, PA 16802-2600