Maize antioxidant protective potential under abiotic soil drought, biotic two-spotted spider mite feeding and the combination of both stresses

Abstract: In response to a single acting biotic or abiotic stress, the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) takes place, which can be effectively balanced by ROS-scavenging enzymes and/or non-enzymatic antioxidants. The extent of ROS-scavenging enzyme engagement acts as a marker of stressed-plant protective potential against oxidative damage. Little is known on the involvement of ROS-scavenging enzymes in plant defence against a combination of biotic and abiotic stresses. Under field conditions, maize plants including transgenic lepidopteran insect-resistant maize (Zea mays L.) expressing cry1Ab gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Bt) are frequently exposed to numerous biotic and abiotic stresses, such as non-target pests and soil-water deficit.