METABOLIC RESPONSES OF SUGARCANE UNDER COMBINED STRESSES: WATER DEFICIENCY MODULATES INFESTATION BY THE WEEVIL Sphenophorus levis Vaurie 1978 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)?

• Grant number: 24/08976-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Odair Aparecido Fernandes
• Grantee: Mirela Vantini Checchio
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil
• Company: Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV)
• Associated research grant: 17/25258-1 - Engineering Research Center - Plant Health in Sugarcane, AP.PCPE

Abstract

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is subject to biotic and abiotic factors. Among these, the incidence of the pest Sphenophorus levis and drought periods are major contributors to yield loss or limitation of higher efficiency in the sugarcane sector. In contrast to the knowledge of plant responses to drought, the injury caused by S. levis and its effects on sugarcane metabolism are still lacking. Similarly, studies focusing on the impact of this stress combination represent an emerging challenge in the agroecosystem. Thus, the proposal aims to evaluate the metabolic responses in sugarcane, as well as the underlying defense mechanisms involved in the interaction with combined stresses (S. levis and water deficiency). For this purpose, plants will be exposed or not to biotic stress (S. levis) and abiotic stress (moderate water deficiency), applied individually and combined. Assessments will explore the photosynthetic process, hormonal level, water relations, antioxidant capacity and metabolic profile of plants. Therefore, in addition to advancing the understanding of the physiological, biochemical and metabolomics responses of sugarcane subjected to the combination of stresses, the proposal significantly contributes to the development of viable strategies in integrated pest management programs (IPM) and genetic improvement. This enables sugarcane plants to tolerate potential infestations of pest insects and drought episodes.