Evaluation of host defense inducing nanoparticles against Alternaria tenuissima (Kunze ex pers.) Wiltshire causing dieback disease of chilli

Abstract

Dieback disease, caused by Alternaria tenuissima, (Kunze ex pers.) Wiltshire, is one of the most important disease that affecting all the plant parts of chilli. Among sixn nano compounds, all treatments significantly increased the enzymatic activities over control. Silver nanoparticles were found to best followed by Aluminum nano particles as lowest No. of spot/leaves as well as severity was recorded. The accumulation of enzymes i.e. polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (PO) and total phenol significantly increased upto 72 hours. Among different nanoparticles highest significantly increase in PPO, PO and total phenol activity at 100 µgml-1 were recorded in Silver nano particles i.e. 0.039, 0.441 and 10.069 µmol/min/mg protein respectively. The average No. of spot/leaf (3.11), No. of infected leaves/plant (2.00) and disease severity after 60 DAI (days after inoculation) (8.00%) of dieback disease of chilli were minimum at 100µgml-1 as compare to control.