Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are complex signals, genetically variable and plastic in their emission mediate interactions between insects, plants, and their associating microorganisms and play critical roles in plant defense. Emission of VOCs can be triggered by many factors including herbivory, termed herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) and treatment of plants with beneficial soil microbes such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), termed as PGPR-induced volatiles with consequences for chemical-mediated interactions across multiple trophic levels. To date, however, much of the current understanding of HIPVs and PGPR-induced VOCs is based on studies that use a few plant genotypes. Yet, crop breeding programs, with every new decade generate new plant genotypes with unique genetic characteristics. This study was conducted to investigate whether VOC emission in maize varies as a function of genotype and microbe community. We used six maize genotypes, representing three decades of crop improvement and two major heterotic groups. Maize plants, inoculated with PGPR, <i>Bacillus altitudinus</i> at planting were grown under greenhouse conditions. Four microbe treatments were used; Bacillus+sterile soil, Bacillus+live soil, live soil and sterile soil. Plants were subjected to damage by <i>Helicoverpa zea</i> larvae followed by collection of herbivore-induced volatiles. Volatiles were analyzed and identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Our results showed that maize genotype overwhelmingly influenced VOCs emissions. Microbe treatment did not influence total maize VOCs emissions. To fully exploit VOCs signals to improve plant defense and harness microbial inoculants’ potential to improve plant health, a thorough understanding of the interplay of plant genetics and microbe treatment is necessary.

Induced volatiles in maize: Examining the interplay of plant genotype and microbe treatment

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