Seed priming with elicitor induced biochemical defence in adaptation of wheat against Spot blotch (Bipolaris sorokiniana)

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is India's second most important crop after rice, but its cultivation is often affected by the Spot blotch disease caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoemaker. Chemical spray is not a sustainable solution for management of spot blotch due to environmental concern. However, inducing plant defenses through elicitors has shown promise in minimizing the impact of plant diseases. The present study designed to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of elicitors Benzothiadiazole (BTH), Salicylic acid (SA), Jasmonic acid (JA), and Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), on the development of induced resistance in three contrasting varieties of wheat with varying degrees of susceptibility to Spot blotch. The result showed that elicitors increased the seed vigor, fresh weight, dry weight, sugar content, starch content, proline, chlorophyll content, proteins, total soluble proteins, and phenol content. These biochemical traits also significantly increased in pathogen-inoculated conditions than without elicitors treated seedlings. Under disease conditions, BTH@4mMM concentartion showed the highest starch content (132.68 ± 1.55) in HD-2968 genotype compared to other elicitors and genotypes. Elicitors also increased the activity of non-enzymatic antioxidant enzymes and other biochemicals, increasing the efficiency with increasing concentrations. Hence, inducing plant defenses using elicitors such as BTH, SA, JA, and H2O2 shows promising management strategies against Spot blotch disease in wheat. Further, research in this area could lead to a sustainable approach to crop management.