Division of Mycologyand Plant Pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012
Present address: *Division of Plant Pathology, CPRI, Shimla- 171001.
**Division of Biochemistry, IARI, New Delhi-110012
Endogenous level of auxin appeared to play a major role in pathogenesis of bottlegourd wilt caused by Fusarium solani. Young leaves and stem of infected bottlegourd plants showed 175% and 154% endogenous auxin, respectively in comparison to healthy check plants. The enhanced auxin activity in infected plants resulted from lower activity of IAA-oxldase. In resistant plants auxin activity came down after an initial increase at 20 and 40 days after sowing, However, in susceptible plants auxin level remained high at 60 DAS. This was responsible for extensive tylosis and wilt.
