Biochemical Basis of Resistance in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) against Fusarium Wilt

Abstract

Biochemical basis of disease resistance was studied by analysis of total phenols, peroxidase and ß-1,3-glucanase activities in calli of Fusarium wilt resistant and susceptible genotypes and one in vitro selected resistant cell line of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The callus growth of cvs. JG62, C235 and WR315 was completely inhibited at 2% (v/v) concentration of culture filtrate of the fungus, whereas, the callus growth of in vitro selected resistant cell line FWR was not inhibited even at 4% (v/v) concentration of culture filtrate, indicating that a cultivar resistant under field conditions could show susceptibility under in vitro conditions. Total phenols were more in the resistant cell line than in the susceptible cultivars. However, increase in phenolics was higher in resistant cell line than in susceptible cultivars after treatment with the cultural filtrate, indicating that phenols reach an inhibitory level to the fungus in the resistant cell line. Peroxidase followed a similar pattern. Increase in ß-1,3-glucanase activity, after treatment, was higher in resistant cell line than in susceptible cultivars. Role of total phenols, peroxidase and ß-1,3-glucanase in defense against Fusarium wilt disease of chickpea is discussed.