COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ANTIOXIDANT RESPONSES AGAINST ANTHRACNOSE DISEASE IN RESISTANT AND SUSCEPTIBLE HOT PEPPER GENOTYPES

Anthracnose is a serious threat to chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) production with severe yield loss in India. However, evidence about chilli-Colletotrichum truncatum patho-system still remained limited. Hence this investigation was performed to identify the role enzymatic antioxidant system and its interaction with pathotype present in both resistant (PBC-80) and susceptible (Pusa Jwala) chilli genotypes at different infective stages (12, 24, 48, 72, 148 and 216 hours after inoculation). Experimental study of Colletotrichum truncatum -resistant variety (PBC-80) interaction revealed a rapid induction of superoxide dismutase (SOD) until last phase and other antioxidants like peroxidase (POD), Poly phenol oxidase (PPO), phenyl alanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and Lipoxygenase (LOX) with uneven curve including initial raise after 24 Hai, a decline after 48 Hai then a rapid increase up to 216 Hai in their activity indicating their role in contributing resistance. While induction of Catalase (CAT) and Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity delayed in resistant variety. Subsequently from interactive study of Colletotrichum truncatum -susceptible (Pusa Jwaala) genotype activity of antioxidant system response was observed to be much delayed. While induction of APX and CAT activity pronounced more contributing its role in inducing susceptibility. The differences in antioxidant response of capsicum genotypes under Colletotrichum truncatum infestation could be the result of genetic properties. This study serves as basic platform to use highly induced antioxidants as biological markers to study plant-fungal incompatible and compatible communications and develop effective marker for resistant germplasm documentation.