Does the Interference of GR® Volunteer Corn Alters Stress Metabolism on Soybean?

A Interferência de Milho Voluntário RR® Altera o Metabolismo do Estresse na Soja?

ABSTRACT:

The cultivation of GR® corn prior to soybean favors the occurrence of GR® volunteer corn plants interfering in soybean crops. The interference of volunteer corn causes the soybean yield losses, and the magnitude of losses varies with the corn density. The soybean yield losses can be partially explained by the occurrence of oxidative stress, which occurs by the higher content of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The objective of this study was to quantify H2O2 content and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) on soybean as a function of interference of populations of GR® volunteer corn originated from individual plants and clumps (clumps are seven corn plants emerged at the same point) in different times, as well as to determine wheter this interference alters stress metabolism on soybean. Quantification was performed at 20, 35 and 46 days after emergence (DAE) of soybean. The mean volunteer corn populations were 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 10 and 12 plants or clumps m-2. The results show changes in H2O2 content and SOD, CAT and APX activity as a response to interference with volunteer corn populations and origins. The higher activity was observated for SOD. Soybean yield reduce with the increase of populations of volunteer corn originated from individual plants and clumps.

Keywords:
Glycine max; Zea mays; volunteer plants; competition; oxidative stress