Bioagents Induced Resistance to Ceratocystis fimbriata in Pomegranate

Pomegranate is the most important fruit crop consumed in the world. In India the plant is cultivated in almost all agroecological areas, however, yields remain low due to attacks by various pathogens and insects. Among the pathogens, wilt caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata is an important disease and its soil-borne pathogen is difficult to manage. To contribute to the control of this microbial pathogen, the stimulatory effect of the Pomegranate defense system of bioagents in the pomegranate interaction was evaluated. Resistance-inducing rhizobacteria offer an excellent alternative in providing natural, effective, safe, persistent, and durable protection. Plants have endogenous defense mechanisms that can be induced in response to the pathogen and bio-agents. The increased activities of the defense enzymes, viz. peroxidase (PO), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phenylalamine ammonia lyase (PAL), and phenolic compounds in the bio-agents treated plants of pomegranate challenged with C. fimbriata were recorded in the present studies. The maximum activity of defense enzymes viz., peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and total phenol was recorded in diamond (T. viride) followed by T. harzianum (Th-R) and Platinum (P. fluorescens) indicating the role of bio-agents in increasing the role of defense enzymes in suppression of wilt.