F Budeguer, G Michavila, A Noguera, NR Chalfoun and J Racedo
Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino (ITANOA), Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres (EEAOC) – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Las Talitas, Tucumán, Argentina; florbudeguer88@gmail.com
Sugarcane (Saccharum hybrids) is a major crop threatened by numerous pests and diseases, including the sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis. Despite the global availability of cultural, biological, and chemical control methods, management efficacy in northwestern Argentina has been limited. Howler® (PSP1), a biostimulant developed at ITANOA and containing the fungal protease Acremonium strictum Elicitor Subtilisin (AsES), activates plant defense responses and reduces pest damage. This study evaluated the protective effects of Howler® on sugarcane plants with formed internodes under controlled D. saccharalis infestation conditions and investigated its role in activating defense-related genes. Plants treated with Howler® exhibited a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the number of damaged internodes and sheaths, and in overall stem damage compared to untreated controls. Gene-expression analysis revealed the activation of the salicylic acid (SA) pathway, with significant overexpression of the PR1 gene at 96 hours post-treatment. Additionally, the defense-related proteins SWIN2 and BBI4 showed early overexpression at 6 hours, suggesting an induced response against herbivory. These findings indicate that Howler® enhances sugarcane resistance to D. saccharalis through the activation of plant-defense mechanisms. Given its effectiveness, ease of application, and potential for sustainable pest management, Howler® represents a promising biostimulant for integrated sugarcane protection strategies.