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Elevation of Defense Network in Chilli Against Colletotrichum capsici by Phyllospheric Trichoderma Strain

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Abstract

Biocontrol strategies have been mainly focused on proposing the use of biocontrol agents (BCAs) isolated from the rhizospheric region of the plant for protection against phytopathogens. The present study evaluates the effectiveness of phyllospheric Trichoderma isolates in elevating the defense responses in chilli against Colletotrichum capsici infection and comparing its efficiency to the conventionally recommended rhizospheric Trichoderma strains. The elicitation of the defense network in the plants was analyzed using biochemical assays for important enzymes, that is, PAL, PO, PPO, TPC, SOD along with the total protein level in challenged plants over untreated and unchallenged control plants. The results recorded 2.1, 5.18, 3, 0.67, and 0.5-fold increases in TPC, PAL, PO, PPO, and total protein content in BHUF4 (phyllopsheric Trichoderma isolate)-treated plants when compared to control plants under C. capsici challenge. This was at par with the increment recorded in T16A (rhizospheric Trichoderma isolate)-treated chilli plants. The increment in growth parameters was also recorded after treatment with the isolated Trichoderma strains. Interestingly, the phyllospheric isolate (BHUF4) treatment recorded comparable growth promotion in chilli plants recording 36, 62, and 60 % increases in one of the major parameters of plant growth, that is, root length, no. of leaves, and dry weight, respectively. This study proposes the use of combined application of both rhizospheric as well as phyllospheric Trichoderma isolates for better and all around protection of plants against foliar as well as soil phytopathogens. This would be a novel approach in biological control strategy for better management of anthracnose disease of chilli.

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Acknowledgments

A.S. is grateful to Department of Science and Technology, Govt. Of India for providing INSPIRE Fellowship under the AORC Scheme. H.B.S. is thankful to Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi, India for providing financial assistance (BT/PR5990/AGR/21/302/2009).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India

    Amrita Saxena

  2. Department of Botany, Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India

    Richa Raghuwanshi

  3. Department of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India

    Harikesh Bahadur Singh

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  1. Amrita Saxena
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  2. Richa Raghuwanshi
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Correspondence to Harikesh Bahadur Singh.

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Saxena, A., Raghuwanshi, R. & Singh, H.B. Elevation of Defense Network in Chilli Against Colletotrichum capsici by Phyllospheric Trichoderma Strain. J Plant Growth Regul 35, 377–389 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-015-9542-5

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