Defence responses of moderately resistant and susceptible rice varieties induced by rice root knot nematode, Meloidogyne graminicola

Abstract

A pot culture experiment was carried out to quantify the induction of defence enzyme viz., peroxidase (PO), polyphenoloxidase (PPO) and Phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL) in response to infection by M. graminicola with moderately resistant rice varieties (ADT 41, ADT 45, TRY 1, TPS 3, Swarna and GEB 24) and susceptible varieties (Co 47, Pusa Basmathi, ASD 19, Co 43, Co 2 and Co 19). Total phenol and defence enzymes viz., peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and phenylalanine ammonialyase induction were found to be higher in M. graminicola infested moderately resistant varieties. The susceptible varieties infested by the root knot nematode showed reduction in total phenols, PO, PPO and PAL activity.