Chilli Seedlings Research Articles

Protective Role of Polyethylene Glycol Towards the Damaging Effects of Cadmium.

This study aimed to evaluate the role of drought-induced changes in the effects of cadmium (Cd) in plants. Cd is the most hazardous and important environmental pollutant. Water deficit is the most common environmental stress encountered by plants and affects most of the plant functions. The present study assessed the effect of Cd and water deficit on Capsicum frutescens seedlings in single and combined treatments. The seedlings of Capsicum were grown in a hydroponic solution and treated with Cd. The seedlings were subjected to water deficit with the help of polyethylene glycol (PEG). The other set of seedlings was treated with combined Cd + PEG. In the absence of PEG, maximum Cd accumulation was observed. The root and shoot growth of the seedlings were affected under all treatments with maximum inhibition in Cd. Pigment, protein and sugar contents and nitrate reductase activity decreased significantly in all treatments, while proline content increased. Induction of oxidative damage occurred through the formation of free radicals which caused alteration in electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidation and activities of antioxidant enzymes, viz. superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase and non-enzymatic non-protein thiol content and ascorbic acid in the stressed seedlings. Water deficit buttressed the toxic effect of Cd on chilli seedlings.

Effects of Bio-Amendment of Coconut Dust with Empty Fruit Bunch Compost on the Efficacy of Mycorrhizae Under Deficit Fertigation

It has been known that the application of beneficial fungi and compost, has a favourable effect on easing water deficiency stress in plants, hence helping to boost agricultural activities in times of climate uncertainty. In this study, the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in combination with oil palm empty fruit bunch compost (EFB) on the growth, yield, and physiology of chilli under deficit fertigation was investigated. Throughout the study, five-week-old chilli seedlings were fertigated daily with 100% and 60% of daily evapotranspiration (ET) readings. Three days after transplanting, 10g of sandy soil containing roughly 120-150 mycorrhizal spores was applied to the root zone. Physiological data such as real-time photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were measured at vegetative, early flowering, fruit setting, and maturity or harvesting stages. Meanwhile, yield and morphological measurements were recorded at the end of the study. It was discovered that the addition of EFB to the coconut coir dust media enhanced the beneficial effects of AMF on all parameters including total biomass, chlorophyll fluorescence Fv/Fm, total chlorophylls, photosynthesis rate and stomatal conductance regardless of fertigation levels. The study also revealed that AMF inoculation alone was less effective than non-inoculation + EFB. In conclusion, it is suggested that incorporation of AMF and EFB compost positively affect the yield, growth and physiology of chilli under deficit fertigation.

Effect of bio control agents and botanical extracts on antioxidant activity in chilli fruits

Chilli fruit are good antioxidant sources and hold promise as natural ingredients in functional foods. Many other types of carotenoids accumulate in the fruit during the ripening process, for example, β-carotene, violaxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin. The present experiment was carried out to Effect of bio control agents and botanical extracts on antioxidant activity in chilli fruits. Chilli seedlings were treated with individually and in combination with effective bio control agents and botanical extracts in field condition applied as seedling treatment and foliar spray. Efficacy of botanical extract and bio control agents on antioxidant activity of fruits of chilli plant applied seedling treatment and foliar spray with T. Viride + P. Fluorescens + Neem + Garlic showed higher β-carotene and capsaicin content in chilli fruits in comparison to control. Maximum β-carotene (3.56 mg/mL) and capsaicin (2831.67µg/g) content were recorded in chilli fruits respectively. These antioxidants sources are responses to disease resistant against pathogen and benefiting the digestive tracts, promote healthy heart, relieve joint pains, promote weight loss, mitigate migraine, reduce cancer risk, prevent allergies etc.

Enhancement of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity in cucumber and chilli seedlings by aqueous extract of Cleistanthus collinus

Enhancement of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity in cucumber and chilli seedlings by aqueous extract of Cleistanthus collinus

Effect of different growth media on biometric parameter of brinjal and chilli seedlings under shade net house

The study was undertaken for two consecutive years (2017 and 2018) to evaluate the effect of different growth media on various growing parameters and incidence of insect pest on brinjal and chilli seedlings. Seedlings were grown in protray using six types of growing media. The highest germination percentage (71.11), plant height (11.05 cm), number of leaves (5.81) and percentage healthy seedlings (89.82) were observed with vermiculite + perlite + vermi- compost (1:1:2) during both the years in brinjal. Similarly in chilli, highest germination percentage (66.33), plant height (9.81 cm), number of leaves (5.62) and percentage healthy seedlings (87.61) were observed with vermiculite + perlite + vermi-compost (1:1:2). There was significantly low incidence of whitefly in brinjal (1.49 whitefly/leaf) and chilli (1.65 whitefly/ leaf) seedling grown in media with vermiculite + perlite + vermi-compost (1:1:2). Hence, vermiculite + perlite + vermi-compost (1:1:2) was found as optimum growth media for growing of chilli and brinjal seedlings. The findings of this study recommend the use of vermiculite + perlite + vermi-compost (1:1:2) as growth media for raising nursery by farmers as it had significant positively effect on plant growth parameters of seedlings that lead to increase production of chilli and brinjal.

Effectiveness of indigenous fluorescent pseudomonads in suppressing Rhizoctonia solani root rot disease and promoting plant growth in chilli seedlings

Effectiveness of indigenous fluorescent pseudomonads in suppressing Rhizoctonia solani root rot disease and promoting plant growth in chilli seedlings

Drainage, animal manures and fungicides reduce Phytophthora wilt (caused by Phytophthora capsici) of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) in Bhutan

Phytophthora wilt, caused by Phytophthora capsici Leon., is the most devastating disease of chilli in Bhutan. In this study, effects of bed heights to improve soil drainage, animal manures and fungicides on Phytophthora wilt on chilli were evaluated on naturally infested plots at the wet lowlands site of Bhur and in a farmer’s field at a drier, higher altitude site at Darachu in Bhutan. The experimental design was a split-plot arrangement of a randomised complete block. Bed height (flat or raised) was the main plot with amendments (poultry manure, cattle manure) or fungicide drenches (metalaxyl or potassium phosphonate) as subplot treatments. Aged manures (28,000 kg DW/ha) were applied to the field one week before planting. Chilli seedlings in the nursery bed were drenched with 1 g a.i./L potassium phosphonate or 10 mg a.i./L metalaxyl 24 hours prior to transplanting. Plant survival was significantly higher on raised beds than flat beds at Bhur (p = 0.0105), but not Darachu, although marketable yields were significantly higher on raised beds at both sites. At Darachu, poultry manure significantly improved plant survival (50%), as did cattle manure (41%) compared to unamended control plots (25%). Similar results were found at Bhur, with survival on poultry manure amended soils (40%) and cattle manure (34%), both significantly higher than on unamended soils (20%). Both fungicides significantly improved plant survival (p < 0.0001) and marketable yield (p < 0.0001) at both sites. Yields at the high-altitude, drier site at Darachu were generally higher than at the wet lowlands site at Bhur. Marketable yields on phosphonate-treated plots at both Bhur and Darachu, (16.8 and 19.1 tonnes/ha, respectively) and metalaxyl-treated plots (15.4 and 17.5 tonnes/ha) were significantly higher than on untreated plots (6.0 and 7.5 tonnes/ha). A highly significant (p = 0.0007) benefit of combining raised beds planting with manure and fungicide treatments on yield was observed at the wet lowlands site, but not at the drier site. Integrating raised bed planting with the application of poultry manure and fungicides is likely to significantly reduce yield losses of chilli due to Phytophthora wilt in different regions of Bhutan.

KAJIAN PENGENDALIAN PENYAKIT LAYU Fusarium oxysporum DENGAN Trichoderma sp. PADA TANAMAN CABAI

The study aims to determine the concentration of Trichoderma sp. effective for controlling Fusarium oxysporum wilt in chilli plants, which was carried out in Banguntapan Village, Banguntapan District, Bantul District, from March to October 2018. The study used a complete randomized block design consisting of 5 treatments of Trichoderma sp. ie 0.0 g, 2.50 g, 5.0 g, 7.50 g and 10.0 g biomass / m2 with 4 replications each treatment. Application was carried out by isolating the biomass of Trichoderma sp. inoculated in 2.5 kg of organic fertilizer / compost, then sprinkled on the ield before chilli seedlings were planted. Based on the analysis of the incubation period and the intensity of the attacks, showed that the treatment of Trichoderma sp. with a concentration of 10.0 g of biomass gave effective results and reduced the intensity of Fusarium oxysporum wilt attack by 12.15 percent. Keywords: Trichoderma sp., Fusarium oxysporum, concentration, attack intensity.

Seed Antioxidants Interplay with Drought Stress Tolerance Indices in Chilli (Capsicum annuum L) Seedlings.

Altering climatic conditions and water stress drastically affects the chilli crop yield. In this scenario we adapted a strategic approach for screening of elite chilli genotypes, by exploring role of seed antioxidants in stress tolerance during vegetative phase. A total of 20 chilli genotypes' seed antioxidant potential and its effect on water stress tolerance were studied at three water regimes, namely, control (100% Field Capacity), moderate (80% Field Capacity), and severe (60% Field Capacity) stress conditions. Drought tolerance traits relative water content, chlorophyll content, and activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes were measured. A strong correlation was observed between seed antioxidants and water stress tolerant traits in seedlings. Genotypes KCa-5, KCa-6, and KCa-10 showed low quantity of H2O2 and Malondialdehyde in seeds and maintained high membrane integrity and chlorophyll content in seedlings. High content of proline in KCa-5, KCa-7, and KCa-10 seeds retained high relative water content at seedling stage under severe water stress. Present work reveals genotypic differences of hot pepper to different water regimes. Based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of seed antioxidant variables and drought tolerance indices twenty genotypes segregated into three clusters, namely, drought tolerant and susceptible and moderately tolerant.

Proteomic analysis of salicylic acid enhanced disease resistance in bacterial wilt affected chilli (Capsicum annuum) crop

Salicylic acid (SA) is an important endogenous chemical signal that plays a key role in enhancing plant defense responses. Exogenous application of 0.5 mM SA for 3 days enhanced resistance to bacterial wilt (BW) disease (by reduction in disease incidence level upto 64% under greenhouse conditions) without any detrimental effect on plant growth. To understand the dynamics of protein in SA-primed chilli during BW infection, proteomic approach using 2DE-SDS PAGE was performed. Proteomic analysis revealed 25 differentially expressed proteins (which were more prominent in SA primed-challenge inoculated chilli samples), of which 20 were successfully identified by Nano-LC MS/MS analysis. The differential expression pattern revealed that proteins associated with stress and defense, energy and metabolism, protein synthesis, protein destination and storage and transcription related were upregulated indicating the involvement of SA induced disease resistance in chilli seedlings. This suggests the complexity of the proteome and inter-connected pathways responsible for SA induced resistance in chilli. Correlation in the differential expression of catalase and EF-1A from proteomic as well as semiquantitative RT-PCR suggests this probable use as biomarkers in screening susceptibility of chilli cultivars for wilt disease. Findings from this study will serve as basis for designing disease-management strategies based on resistance conferred by SA, which could applicable to other biotic stress affected staple crops.

Role of Essential Nutrients as Tools for Reducing Arsenic Hazards in Chilli (Capsicum annuumL.)

Capsicum annuum L. was treated with arsenic (As) in pot culture condition to substantiate hazardous effects on growth and biosynthesis of some biomolecules with coexisting effects of essential nutrients namely, manganese (Mn) and phosphate (P). Treatments were applied to plants after 20, 50 and 80 days of transplanting as a soil application. Arsenate (5 mg As kg−1 soil) showed somewhat stimulatory effect on growth and biosynthesis of soluble sugar and soluble protein at the stage of 30 days but at later stages of growth, arsenate was found to be obstructive for fresh and dry shoot weights as well as root weights. Fresh and dry leaf weights and leaf area gradually decreased with increasing concentrations with more doses of As. Arsenic showed significant adverse effect on leaf length and stem diameter of chilli plant. The duration of exposure to arsenate stress was negatively correlated with partitioning of dry matter accumulation. The inhibitory effect of arsenate was less pronounced at the beginning but increased with time. It decreased soluble sugar content, protein content and finally the yield of chilli in the later stages of growth at high concentrations of arsenate. The application of manganese (1 ppm), phosphate (13 mg kg−1 soil) separately and together exhibited significant helpful alterations of all the growth and biochemical characteristics tested under the purview of arsenate treatment alone. In conclusion better growth and yield was observed with the application of manganese and phosphate in chilli seedlings by declining As hazards in arsenic infested soils.

Trichoderma-enriched coco-peat for the management of Phytophthora and Fusarium diseases of chilli and tomato in nurseries.

Coconut coir dust, commercially available as coco-peat, is used in raising the seedlings of vegetable crops in tropical countries. Coir-pith and other derivates of coconut husk have been well recognized as substrates for the multiplication of Trichoderma spp. and commercial nurseries use coco-peat for raising the seedlings. In the present study, coco-peat enriched with Trichoderma harzianum was used for raising tomato and chilli seedlings to test the effect of the same on managing wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici in tomato and damping off and root rot caused by Phytophthora capsici in chillies in nurseries. The enrichment with T. harzianum , resulted in reduced wilt incidence (5-7.5%) compared to control (38.75%) in tomato with increased plant growth parameters. Though germination was reduced compared to control (without pathogen), there was reduction in P. capsici infection in chillies by up to 50% compared to coco-peat without Trichoderma enrichment. The use of coco-peat enriched with T. harzianum can be adopted by commercial nurseries for better plant growth and reduced incidence of tomato wilt and chilli root rot while raising disease free and healthy seedlings.

The effect of mode of application of Bacillus subtilis CA32r on control of Sclerotium rolfsii on Capsicum annuum

Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. the causal agent of collar and root rot of chili (Capsicum annuum L.), is one of the most important soil-borne pathogens in Sri Lanka. Bacillus subtilis CA32r, a stable spontaneous kanamycin resistant isolate, showing antagonism in a Petri plate assay, was selected for greenhouse pot experiments to control S. rolfsii. An ethyl acetate extract of the culture filtrate of B. subtilis CA32r inhibited radial colony growth as well as germination of sclerotia of the pathogen in vitro, indicating the presence of antifungal compound(s) in the culture extract. B. subtilis CA32r was investigated for its effectiveness as a biological control agent against S. rolfsii infecting transplanted chilli seedlings in greenhouse pot experiments. CA32r significantly decreased the disease incidence in terms of lesion development on stem base and roots depending on the mode of the bacterial application. Seed bacterization and soil application alone did not protect chilli plants, but root bacterization prior to the transplanting of seedlings significantly decreased the disease incidence caused by S. rolfsii. However, even in the combined treatment, seed bacterization and soil application, did not protect chilli plants. The best protection was achieved by combination of root bacterization prior to transplant and soil application of CA32r. Root bacterization resulted in maintaining higher numbers of bacteria at the collar region of chilli plants and may have shielded the most vulnerable area from the pathogen, resulting enhanced protection. Since the application of CA32r resulted in a significant reduction of the number of viable S. rolfsii propagules in the soil indicates that B. subtilis CA32r possesses not only protective but also eradicative potential.

Effect of flooding on the viability and pathogenicity of sclerotia ofSclerotium rolfsiiin Malaysian soil∗

Abstract Sclerotial viability of Sclerotium rolfsii the seedling blight and collar rot pathogen of chilli, decreased rapidly with time of submerging in flooded field soil. Viability was reduced to 10% 9 days after submerging. No reduction was observed in sclerotia submerged in non‐sterilized tap water. Loss of viability resulted in complete loss of pathogenicity. Nongerminated sclerotia became soft and broke easily. Maceration of cortical cells was common. A bacteria‐like organism was consistently associated with the ruptured and macerated sclerotia. In glasshouse studies, soil flooded at a high temperature decreased the viability of the sclerotia; this was reflected in a reduced incidence of seedling blight and collar rot on chilli seedlings. The incidence of seedling blight was recorded as 43–7% in the non‐flooded soil, 10.2% in flooded soil and 12.3% in the planter that had received an application of Brassicol. However, incidence of collar rot was 25.3% and 28.1 % in the flooded and fungicide‐amended soils respectively and 58.1% in the non‐flooded pots. It is concluded that satisfactory control of seedling blight and collar rot of chilli can be achieved by flooding.

Acquired cycloheximide resistance inNeurospora crassa andSclerotium rolfsii

Acquired resistance to the antibiotic cycloheximide developed byNeurospora crassa andSclerotium rolfsii was studied. Both the fungi gained certain level of tolerance to the antibiotic just after a single exposure and by serial transfers could adapt to the several-fold initial inhibitory dosage. Cycloheximide-resistance in both the cases was not a stable characteristic and was lost gradually on serial transfers in fungicide-free media. The resistant strains of both the fungi showed poor growth and decreased sporulation or sclerotia formation in fungicide-free media.Sclerotium rolfsii developed cross-resistance to Difolatan but not to Polyoxin-D, Hinosan and Bayleton. The cycloheximide-resistance inSclerotium rolfsii was probably due to the conversion of cycloheximide into isocycloheximide which is a less toxic structural analog, as revealed by thin layer chromatographic studies of culture filtrates of resistant and sensitive strains. The resistant strain ofSclerotium rolfsii retained its pathogenicity to tomato, mustard and chilli seedlings. However, the loss of sclerotia forming capacity and the instability of the acquired resistance trait may prove to be of ecological disadvantage to the resistant strain.

Effect of Different Sources of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza on the Performance of Chilli Seedlings

The effect of different sources of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on chilli seedlings was conducted in the net house of Soil Science Division, BARI, Gazipur. The AM fungi from various sources including an exotic variety were included in this study. Soil-based AM inoculum was used at the rate of 50 g/pot. It was found that the growth, biomass yield and nutrient uptake of inoculated seedlings were significantly higher than those of uninoculated seedlings. Such higher growth and nutrient uptake appeared to be due to beneficial effects of AM fungi. The performance of the indigenous AM inocula was much better than the exotic inoculum with respect to biomass production and nutrient uptake. Inoculation with AM fungi helped to produce healthy and vigorous seedlings with faster growth. This would help reducing the nursery life and thereby reduce the cost of seedling production. It is expected that the AM inoculated seedlings might perform better in the field trail since the fungi could colonize with the roots.Keywords: Arbuscular mycorrhiza, Chilli seedlings, Pot cultureDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjm.v23i2.870 Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 23, Number 2, December 2006, pp 98-101

Effect of &lt;i&gt;Trichoderma harzianum&lt;/i&gt; and Some Selected Soil Amendment Against Damping off Disease Complex of Potato and Chilli

Soil applications with poultry refuse, cocodust, vermicompost, ash, sawdust, khudepana, cowdung, solarized sand, Trichoderma harzianum and or with seed treatment by T. harzianum were evaluated against damping off disease complex of potato and chilli. All the treatments significantly reduced percent damping off over control. T. harzianum treated seed along with soil treatment with T. harzianum performed best in terms of seed germination, percent damping off reduction and enhanced growth characters than soil application with T. harzianum alone. The experiment indicates that seed treated with T. harzianum then sown in different soil amendment applied seed bed performed better in all parameters than only application with soil amendment. Among the different soil amendments, poultry refuse and vermicompost have promising impact on seed germination, reduction of percent damping off and growth of potato and chilli seedlings when applying along with T. harzianum. Keywords: Damping off; potato; chilli; Trichoderma harzianum; soil amendment DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/agric.v9i1-2.9485 The Agriculturists 2011; 9(1&amp;2): 106-116