Role of a phytotonic-Dravya in the induction of resistance of paddy to bipolaris oryzae infection

Abstract

In order to trigger defense mechanisms in plants, abiotic or biotic factors can be used as inducers/elicitors. In the present study, Dravya (a sea weed extract) was evaluated for its compatibility with common synthetic fungicides like Bavistin and Dithane M-45. Dravya was found to be highly compatible with Dithane M-45, in which the incidence of Bipolaris oryzae and Alternaria padwickii was reduced to a greater extent in the paddy seed sample of Cv. IR-64, a popular variety for popped rice in South India. In parallel, seed germination and seedling vigour were also enhanced over control. Treated seedlings also indicated the enhanced peroxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activities upon challenge inoculation with Bipolaris oryzae. Challenged seedlings showed higher activity of enzymes on second and fourth day after inoculation. The suppression in disease incidence of the seedlings was also noticed in the growing plants indicated the promising effects of Dravya with Dithane M-45 under green house conditions.