Phenolic and tannin contents as related to anatomical parameters of soybean resistance to agromyzid bean flies

• Published in: Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 1983-01, Vol.31 (4), p.726-730
• Main Authors: Chiang, Hsih Shin, Norris, Dale M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agromyzidae; Glycine
• ISSN: 0021-8561; 1520-5118
• DOI: 10.1021/jf00118a012

Leaves and stems of four agromyzid bean fly-resistant soybean (Glycine soja ) varieties and two susceptible ones (Glycine max ) were assayed for phenolic, tannin, and condensed tannin contents. Phenolic content and the protein-binding or -precipitating capabilities of tannins both were higher in the leaf than in the stem of most studied soybean varieties, but differences did not correlate to bean fly resistance vs. susceptibility. No condensed tannins were detected in leaves or stems of any soybean variety. Through relating anatomical compartmentalizations of total phenols, tannins, and lignins in soybeans to the species-specific feeding behaviors of bean fly larvae in such plants, an understanding of the functions of such chemicals in the plant's defenses against insects seems to emerge. Thus, phenols and/or tannins are involved in the resistance of undifferentiated tissues, and phenols, tannins, and lignins are involved in the resistance of the differentiated soybean stem to bean fly larvae.