New Formulations of Salicylic Acid and Their Bioefficacy Evaluation on Wheat Against Cereal Cyst Nematode

Three novel formulations of Salicylic Acid (SA), were prepared using amphiphilic polymers, synthesized from PEG-1000 and three different linker molecules [Adipic acid (A), Pimelic acid (P) and Suberic acid (S)] (@ 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 μg/ml for foliar application on wheat (Triticum aestivum) crop against the cereal cyst nematode, Heterodera avenae. In general, the plant growth parameters (shoot length, shoot weight, root length, root weight) plant improved at 125 μg/ml of all three control release nano formulations of SA. However, the plant growth showed variable responses irrespective of the dosage and the type of elicitor molecule. There was an increase in the plant growth parameters and the nematode infestation decreased following the foliar application of different formulations, thus, inducing the tolerance in wheat, against Heterodera avenae. Among the three formulations tested, PEG-S @125 μg/ml was highly effective in reducing the nematode penetration and further development of H. avenae followed by increased plant growth parameters of PEG-A and PEG-P @125 μg/ml. Thus, these formulations could be further utilized under microplot/field conditions for the management of H. avenae in wheat formulation.