Understanding the role of different biochemical compounds responsible for inducing resistance in pigeon pea towards Helicoverpa armigera infestation

Abstract

Pigeon pea's productivity has been stagnant over the years because of the devastating pest Helicoverpa armigera which causes major yield losses. The present study explored different responses of various defense strategies in leaves and pods of four pigeon pea cultivars (ICP-12142, ICP-11543, LRG-41 and CO-8) after infestation. Two pigeon pea cultivars viz; ICP-11543 and CO-8 were ascertained to be susceptible to infestation with excessive leaf and pod damage compared to the other two cultivars. Decreased activities of defensive enzymes/compounds like peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and total phenols were reported following infestation in cultivars of ICP-11543 and CO-8 which resulted in intensification of infestation. The cultivars; LRG-41 and ICP-12142 were found to be moderately resistant to pest infestation because of the up-regulation of PPO, POD and SOD along with accumulation of total phenols which might be held accountable for shifting the oxidative status of the respective cultivars.

Testing the efficacy of the herbicide tolerant rice mutant (Robin) under direct seeded cultivation

“…Commercially available herbicide tolerance technologies have been developed through transgenic methods and hence not allowed for commercial cultivation in India. In this context, discovery of herbicide "Imazethapyr" resistant Nagina 22 namely "Robin" and mapping of SSR markers linked to herbicide tolerance in Robin has paved way for utilizing this trait in rice cultivation and breeding (Shoba et al, 2017). Before putting this trait into breeding applications, testing its efficacy under direct seeded rice cultivation is necessary for product development and delivery.…”