Determination of antioxidant activity in overexpressed MPK3 transgenic Brassica juncea for induction of defense against Alternaria blight disease

Abstract

Alternaria blight causes a highly destructive disease in Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss (Indian mustard) which leads to significant yield losses. Studies on the Brassica juncea MPK3 gene have implicated that MPK3 play a crucial role in plant defense mechanism and involve in disease resistance against Alternaria blight. In this study, the activity of oxidative enzymes was determined in transgenic B. juncea (BjV5) plants to assess tolerance against Alternaria blight disease. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX), Guaiacol peroxidase activity (GPOX) and proline content were high in transgenic line (BjV5) of B. juncea. Less lipid peroxidation was found in the transgenic plant. Higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging enzymes in a transgenic plant may have potential to protect against Alternaria blight disease.