PJB-2024-218
BENZOTHIADIAZOLE (BTH) MAINTAINS REDOX BALANCE AND PROMOTES DEFENSE AGAINST SITOBION AVENAE IN WHEAT BY FINE-TUNING THE ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEM, SECONDARY METABOLISM, AND OSMOLYTE ACCUMULATION.
Fayyaz Ahmed
Abstract
Sitobion avenae is a serious pest of wheat crop that deteriorates plant metabolism, growth and productivity. Benzothiadiazole (BTH) is a functional analog of salicylic acid with strong antioxidant and growth promoting properties in plants. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the interactive effects of S. avenae infestation and foliar application of BTH (0.1 and 1 mM) on morpho-physiological, biochemical, and molecular attributes of wheat plants. S. avenae infestation significantly diminished growth, biomass, photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange parameters, and total soluble proteins in wheat plants. Contrastingly, plants challenged with S. avenae infestation displayed exacerbated oxidative stress evident by a higher generation of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde. Also, infested plants manifested notably higher levels of ascorbic acid and total free amino acids, Ca2+ ions alongside increased activities of GR and PPO. The expression of defense-related genes (PR1a, PR5, and PIN2) was also higher in infested plants. Exogenous BTH notably improved the growth of S. avenae-infested plants by diminishing oxidative stress and improving enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, GR, PPO) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (TSP, proline, phenolics). BTH further amplified the expression of PR1a, PR5, and PIN2 genes in infested plants which may have contributed to the enhanced resistance against S. avenae. Interestingly, BTH abridged aphid population buildup by reducing nymph development rate, pre and post-fecundity, and longevity. However, 1 mM BTH performed better than 0.1 mM BTH. In the context of wheat cultivars, V-00146 was classified as resistant whereas cv. Pasban-90 as sensitive to S. avenae infestation. Overall, BTH has the potential to modulate plant metabolic activities to deter S. avenae populations. Therefore, it can be used as an alternate strategy to hazardous pesticides for the control of S. avenae and to improve plant defense responses.
To Cite this article:
Download
