Spider mite resistant maize lines, B75 and B96, maintain resistance under water-stress

Climate variability has major implications for agriculture due to the increase in frequency and intensity of simultaneous abiotic, namely water-stress, biotic stresses crops. Plant water-stress alone harms crops but also can attract outbreaks herbivores with varied host specialization, plants succumb further yield losses dealing multiple stressors. Host plant resistance provides a route lessen from herbivory; however, our knowledge interactions between pest is limited, especially mite maize including generalist two-spotted spider (Tetranychus urticae, TSM) specialist Banks grass (Oligonychus pratensis, BGM). We conducted parallel greenhouse field experiments whereby susceptible line (B73) two TSM-resistant lines (B75 B96) were subjected either optimal irrigation or [50–60% 5–10% volumetric water content (VWC), 25–32% 10–15% VWC, field, respectively] test whether pest-resistant maintain their when exposed water-stress. found that under irrigation, TSM BGM populations increased readily on B73, while B75 B96 largely resistant not BGM. While susceptibility B73 both species, did disrupt initial levels species. Elevated protease activity was may contribute resistance. Our findings are highly TSM, species highlight importance nuances stressors within framework