Methylglyoxal metabolism is altered during defence response in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) against the spotted pod borer (Maruca vitrata).

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan ) production can be affected by the spotted pod borer (Maruca vitrata ). Here, we identified biochemical changes in plant parts of pigeonpea after M. vitrata infestation. Two pigeonpea genotypes (AL 1747, moderately resistant; and MN 1, susceptible) were compared for glyoxalase and non-glyoxalase enzyme systems responsible for methylglyoxal (MG) detoxification, γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione content in leaves, flowers and pods under control and insect-infested conditions. MN 1 had major damage due to M. vitrata infestation compared to AL 1747. Lower accumulation of MG in AL 1747 was due to higher activities of enzymes of GSH-dependent (glyoxylase I, glyoxylase II), GSH-independent (glyoxalase III) pathway, and enzyme of non-glyoxalase pathway (methylglyoxal reductase, MGR), which convert MG to lactate. Decreased glyoxylase enzymes and MGR activities in MN 1 resulted in higher accumulation of MG. Higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in AL 1747 indicates utilisation of MG detoxification pathway. Higher glutathione content in AL 1747 genotype might be responsible for efficient working of MG detoxification pathway under insect infestation. Higher activity of γ-GCS in AL 1747 maintains the glutathione pool, necessary for the functioning of glyoxylase pathway to carry out the detoxification of MG. Higher activities of GST and GPX in AL 1747 might be responsible for detoxification of toxic products that accumulates following insect infestation, and elevated activities of glyoxylase and non-glyoxylase enzyme systems in AL 1747 after infestation might be responsible for reducing reactive cabanoyl stress. Our investigation will help the future development of resistant cultivars.

Introgression of productivity enhancing traits, resistance to pod borer and Phytopthora stem blight from Cajanus scarabaeoides to cultivated pigeonpea.

The study aimed at introgression of productivity enhancing traits and resistance to pod borer and Phytophthora stem blight from wild to cultivated pigeonpea through an inter-specific cross between Cajanus scarabaeoides (ICP 15683) and C. cajan (ICPL 20329). Progenies derived from the direct segregating (without backcross) population and backcross population were evaluated for yield and yield contributing traits namely fruiting branches and pods plant-1 and 100-seed weight. Introgressed progenies having higher fruiting branches, pods and yield plant-1 compared to the cultivated parent were identified in both populations. A few progenies with significantly shorter plant height, early flowering and early maturity as compared to both cultivated and wild parents were also recovered in both populations. Progenies from both the populations were identified with higher resistance to pod borer and Phytophthora stem blight. However, some introgressed progenies having lower seed weight and seeds per pod were also recovered. The promising progenies are currently being used in the breeding programme to develop cultivars with improved productivity and resistance to pod borer and Phytophthora stem blight.

Bioefficacy and persistence of acephate in mungbean Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek.

The bioefficacy, persistence and metabolism of foliar application of acephate 75 SP at the respective recommended and double doses of 1500 and 3000 g a.i. ha(-1) were studied on kharif mungbean crop. Acephate gave a very effective control of the pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) at the tested doses on mungbean crop throughout the cropping season, besides recording lower percent pod damage and higher grain yield. The recommended dose of acephate also recorded higher net returns and thus indicating its superiority. Persistence of acephate in mungbean leaves and soil was studied following applications of acephate @ 1500 and 3000 g a.i. ha(-1) at 30 days after sowing. Residues of acephate in mungbean leaves and soil were estimated using gas liquid chromatograph (GLC) and confirmed on gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Half-life periods for acephate in mungbean leaves were observed to be 2.98 and 3.27 days at single and double the application rates, respectively. Residues of acephate dissipated below its limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.05 mg kg(-1) after 20 and 25 days at single and double the application dosage, respectively. Similarly, half-life periods for acephate in mungbean soil were observed to be 1.86 and 1.94 days at single and double the application rates, respectively. Residues of acephate dissipated below its LOQ of 0.05 mg kg(-1) after 10 and 15 days at single and double the application dosage, respectively.

Induced changes in the antioxidative compounds of Vigna mungo genotypes due to infestation by Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius).

Antioxidative compounds were quantified from the leaves of nine black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) genotypes over a period of two years, for potential whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleryrodidae) resistance. Oviposition preference, nymphal and adult development were evaluated under screen-house conditions. Biochemical analysis revealed that higher per cent increase in the total phenol and o-dihydroxy phenol contents both at 30 and 50 days after sowing was evident in moderately resistant genotypes NDU 5-7 (49.6 and 50.8%, respectively) and KU 99-20 (47.8 and 50.8%, respectively) under whitefly stress conditions as compared to non-stressed plants. Tannin and flavonol contents in leaves increased to varying degrees (up to 11.1 and 7.1%, respectively) in resistant plants after whitefly infestation, indicating that the changes in tannin and flavonol contents were closely associated with the resistance to whitefly. Correlation studies relating leaf content of black gram antioxidative compounds from different genotypes with whitefly population were also worked out. Total phenols (r = -0.71 & -0.88), o- dihydroxy phenols (r = -0.56 & -0.76), flavonols (r = -0.80 & -0.81) and tannins (r= -0.16 & -0.26) showed significant negative correlation with whitefly population (nymphs and adults) suggesting that enhanced level of these biochemicals may contribute to bioprotection of black gram plants against B. tabaci infestation. Comparatively higher level of resistance in genotype NDU 5-7 and KU 99-20 can serve as base for genetic improvement of black gram, focusing on the development of resistant varieties to B. tabaci.

Nitrate reductase and nitrite as additional components of defense system in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) against Helicoverpa armigera herbivory.

Amylase inhibitors serve as attractive candidates of defense mechanisms against insect attack. Therefore, the impediment of Helicoverpa armigera digestion can be the effective way of controlling this pest population. Nitrite was found to be a potent mixed non-competitive competitive inhibitor of partially purified α-amylase of H. armigera gut. This observation impelled us to determine the response of nitrite and nitrate reductase (NR) towards H. armigera infestation in nine pigeonpea genotypes (four moderately resistant, three intermediate and two moderately susceptible). The significant upregulation of NR in moderately resistant genotypes after pod borer infestation suggested NR as one of the factors that determine their resistance status against insect attack. The pod borer attack caused greater reduction of nitrate and significant accumulation of nitrite in moderately resistant genotypes. The activity of nitrite reductase (NiR) was also enhanced more in moderately resistant genotypes than moderately susceptible genotypes on account of H. armigera herbivory. Expression of resistance to H. armigera was further revealed when significant negative association between NR, NiR, nitrite and percent pod damage was observed. This is the first report that suggests nitrite to be a potent inhibitor of H. armigera α-amylase and also the involvement of nitrite and NR in providing resistance against H. armigera herbivory.

Fluctuations in peroxidase and catalase activities of resistant and susceptible black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) genotypes elicited by Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) feeding.

Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleryrodidae), is a serious pest of black gram, (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper), an important legume pulse crop grown in north India. This research investigated the potential role of selected plant oxidative enzymes in resistance/susceptibility to whitefly in nine black gram genotypes. Oxidative enzyme activity was estimated spectrophotometrically from leaf samples collected at 30 and 50 d after sowing (DAS) from whitefly infested and uninfested plants. The enzymes showed different activity levels at different times after the infestation. The results indicated that in general, whitefly infestation increased the activities of peroxidase and decreased the catalase activity. Resistant genotypes NDU 5-7 and KU 99-20 recorded higher peroxidase and catalase activities at 30 and 50 DAS under whitefly-stress conditions as compared with non-stressed plants. The results suggest that the enhanced activities of the enzymes may contribute to bioprotection of black gram plants against B. tabaci infestation. The potential mechanisms to explain the correlation of resistance to whitefly in black gram genotypes with higher activities of oxidative enzymes are also discussed.