Abstract
The objective of this work was to investigate the efficacy of a prepackaged combined formulation, Companion (carbendazim 12% + mancozeb 63% WP), sole application of carbendazim 50% WP, manozeb 75% WP and methyl jasmonate (MeJA), an inducer of systemic acquired resistance on disease severity and their role in post-infectional defense responses in chilli seedlings against Sclerotium rolfsii. Seeds were treated for 8 h with MeJA (2.5 mM and 5.0 mM) and each of fungicides (500 ppm), and were sown in pots containing soil and fungal inocula (95:5 w/w). At 15 days after sowing maximum defense against fungal infection was exhibited by Companion comparably followed by the sole application of carbendazim and mancozeb. MeJA reduced percent mortality of S. rolfsii-infected chilli seedlings significantly as compared to the inoculated control. Assessment of peroxidase (POX) and esterase (EST) at 15 days after sowing revealed the increased activity under inoculated condition. Highest POX activity in MeJA treatments (5 mM > 2.5 mM) was followed by the Companion treatment. Highest EST activity was registered in Companion treatment. The zymogram of POX isozymes showed over-expression of POX 2 and POX 4 isoforms, and induction of POX 1 isoform in inoculated treatments. On the other hand, that of EST isozymes showed induction of EST 1 isoform in Companion, carbendazim and MeJA treatments. All EST isoforms were over-expressed in Companion-treated seedlings. Both fungicides and MeJA showed significant effects on disease severity, induction of defense enzymes and isozyme pattern in S. rolfsii-infected chilli seedlings. Contact and systemic fungicides under the experiment demonstrated differential responses. The combination formulation was superior in disease control to application of the fungicide components individually. They compared favourably with MeJA in induction of defense-related enzyme activities. All these findings are new with respect to the chilli- S. rolfsii host–pathogen interaction system, S. rolfsii representing the sclerotial basidiomycetes in particular.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
