Studies on induction of defense related enzymes against Macrophomina phaseolina in Pigeon pea by phylloplane Trichoderma spp.

Plants respond to invasion by activating defense mechanism associated with accumulation of several enzymes such as total phenol, phenyl ammonia lyase (PAL), peroxidase (PO), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD). Present investigation is focused on the role of defenserelated enzymes in imparting resistance to pigeon pea against dry root rot pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina. Among the thirteen, based on mycoparasitic activity, fungal isolate BHU 04 was found to be a potential biocontrol agent and was further used for studies on induction of defense related enzymes. Fungal isolate BHU 04 showed higher activities of total phenols (2.45 μg GAE g-1) fresh weight compared to control 1. PAL (1.66 μ mol trans cinnamic acid min-1g-1 compared to control 1.44 μ mol), PO (1.91 change in OD min-1g-1 compared to control 1.15), PPO activity (1.95 change in OD min-1g-1 compared to control 1.64), 47 and SOD (1.38 units/g fresh weight compared to control 1.23) in pigeon pea plants treated with Macrophomina phaseolina.