J S Sandhu

Fluctuations in peroxidase and catalase activities of resistant and susceptible black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) genotypes elicited by Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) feeding

Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleryrodidae), is a serious pest of black gram, (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper), an important legume pulse crop grown in north India. This research investigated the potential role of selected plant oxidative enzymes in resistance/susceptibility to whitefly in nine black gram genotypes. Oxidative enzyme activity was estimated spectrophotometrically from leaf samples collected at 30 and 50 d after sowing (DAS) from whitefly infested and uninfested plants. The enzymes showed different activity levels at different times after the infestation. The results indicated that in general, whitefly infestation increased the activities of peroxidase and decreased the catalase activity. Resistant genotypes NDU 5-7 and KU 99-20 recorded higher peroxidase and catalase activities at 30 and 50 DAS under whitefly-stress conditions as compared with non-stressed plants. The results suggest that the enhanced activities of the enzymes may contribute to bioprotection of black gram plants against B. tabaci infestation. The potential mechanisms to explain the correlation of resistance to whitefly in black gram genotypes with higher activities of oxidative enzymes are also discussed.

Status of resistance to Ascochyta blight and Fusarium wilt in large-seeded kabuli

Of the 390 Kabuli chickpea genotypes evaluated from 2005 to 2010 against Ascochyta blight (AB), Fusarium wilt (FW) and Dry root rot (DRR) resistance using standard screening techniques, 48 were found to be resistant to FW and DRR. Of these, four genotypes viz GLK95091, GLK95061, GLK24092 and GLK24096 showed resistance to AB with disease score less than 4.0 while another four genotypes GLK22072, GLK22098 and GLK24099 displayed AB disease score 5.0. GLK 22117 with FW percentage 6.3 and DRR 3.5 tested for seven years displayed good performance at other locations in India as well. Extra bold seeded genotypes GLK 26171, GLK26177 and GLK23001have shown good level of resistance to AB, FW and DRR and can be suggested as donors in crossing programme. It was observed that level of FW resistance was comparatively low in large-seeded and extra-large-seeded kabuli than small seeded kabuli.