Application of plant extracts as inducers to challenge leaf rust of wheat

Abstract

Abstract Five plant extracts, i.e., henna, Lawsonia inermis; acalypha, Acalypha wilkesiana; chinaberry, Melia azedarach; pomegranate, Punica granatum; and lantana, Lantana camara, were tested as inducers to protect wheat against leaf rust infection caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks. The plant extracts were applied pre-infection on susceptible wheat cultivar "Gemmiza-7" under field conditions during two growing seasons (2016/2017 and 2017/2018). All the tested plant extracts were found to be effective against the leaf rust infection. They significantly reduced the coefficient of infection (ACI) to be ranging 7.50 to 20.00, compared to the non-treated control (ACI = 75.00). Lantana extract was the most effective one (efficiency = 88.88%), which was very close to the fungicide “diniconazole” (efficiency = 89.92%). Henna extract ranked second (80.00%), followed by chinaberry (76.00%), acalypha (72.00%), and pomegranate (68.00%). However, wheat yield components were significantly increased by all the tested treatments, especially lantana extract and the fungicide. Similarly, biochemical analyses revealed a significant increase in the plant contents of chlorophyll a and b, total phenolics, and oxidative enzymes activities (POX and PPO) at all the tested treatments. Results indicated that the tested plant extracts could induce wheat resistance to leaf rust.

Keywords

• Wheat leaf rust
• Puccinia triticina
• Induced resistance
• Plant extracts
• Triticum aestivum