Journal of Plant Pathology (2020) 102, 985-1006

Kundansing Rajpalsing Jadhao and Gyana Ranjan Rout (2020)
Silicon (Si) enhances the resistance in finger millet genotypes against blast disease
Journal of Plant Pathology 102 (4), 985-1006
Abstract: Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) leaf blast caused by Pyricularia grisea is a common disease and results in severe yield losses. Noble element silicon (Si) effectively mitigates both biotic and abiotic stresses and is known to enhance plant resistance against fungal and bacterial pathogens. The results revealed that there are potential positive effects of silicon application in soil to suppress the blast disease in finger millet genotypes. Among various treatments, 3 g calcium silicate/kg of soil was found to be most effective in enhancing resistance to blast followed by 2 g calcium silicate/kg of soil and 1 g calcium silicate/kg of soil treatments. Silicon content in leaf, stem, and root increased significantly over non-treated plants. A significant negative correlation was observed between silicon accumulation in the plants (leaf, stem, and root) and percent disease index. Both principal component analysis and cluster analysis revealed that among 40 genotypes tested, six genotypes such as 'Suvra', 'GE-2740', 'NO-2836', 'GE-320', 'OEB-532', and 'GE-1135' showed higher silicon accumulation with enhanced plant resistance along with the desired traits. Therefore, silicon accumulating genotypes can be used for the breeding program. Further, this study confirmed the positive effect of Si in enhancing the blast resistance in finger millets through the physical barrier mechanism by inhibiting the fungal penetration and colonization in cell and it can provide an alternative eco-friendly disease management strategy.
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Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
resistance/tolerance/defence of host

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Pyricularia grisea	Eleusine (crop)	India