Enhancing Resistance to Sclerotinia Stem Rot in Brassica juncea Through Seed Priming with Bio-Control Agents

 

Brassica juncea (Indian mustard), a vital oilseed crop, is highly susceptible to Sclerotinia stem rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, a pathogen that severely affects crop yield and quality. This study evaluated the effect of seed priming with bio-control agents, including Bacillus subtilis, Trichoderma viride, and their combination, on two varieties of B. juncea (RH30 and Varuna) under field conditions. Pathogen inoculation was performed at the reproductive stage, and morphological, biochemical, and yield-related parameters were assessed at 10 and 20 Days After Inoculation (DAI). The results demonstrated that the combined application of B. subtilis and T. viride significantly improved plant height, root and shoot biomass, and stem diameter. Biochemical analysis revealed enhanced levels of secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, phenolics, and ascorbate, along with increased activity of antioxidant enzymes, including Catalase (CAT), Polyphenol Oxidase (PPO), and Peroxidase (POX). These changes correlated with reduced disease symptoms, such as shorter stem lesion lengths, fewer sclerotia, and decreased stem breakage percentages. Additionally, yield attributes such as the number of siliquae per plant, seed size, and thousand-seed weight were markedly improved in plants treated with the bio-control agents. The combined treatment outperformed individual applications of B. subtilis or T. viride, demonstrating its superior efficacy in reducing disease severity and enhancing yield. This study highlights the potential of integrating bio-control agents into crop management practices to improve resistance against Sclerotinia stem rot and boost productivity in B. juncea. These findings offer a sustainable alternative to chemical methods for managing biotic stresses in oilseed crops.

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Content Details:-

Corresponding author: Nita Lakra*

Full Length Article: Enhancing Resistance to Sclerotinia Stem Rot in Brassica juncea Through Seed Priming with Bio-Control Agents

Journal: Austin Journal of Plant Biology

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