In vitro evaluation of induced systemic resistance (ISR) elicitors against collar rot of chilli caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc.

Abstract

Management of collar rot of chilli disease mainly depends on fungicide treatments. However, the hazardous effect of these chemicals or their degradation products on the environment and human health strongly requires the search for new, harmless means of disease control. There must be some natural phenomenon of induced resistance to protect plants from disease. Elicitors are compounds, which activate chemical defense in plants. Various biosynthetic pathways are activated in treated plants depending on the compound used. Induction of resistance in plants to overcome pathogen infection is a promising approach for controlling plant diseases. Seed treatments with Chitosan along with its spraying recorded significantly highest seed germination (90.00%), while maximum reduction in mean seedling mortality was recorded with chitosan (ST) (10.89%) followed by Chitosan (ST) + its spraying (14.17%) as compared to control.