Activation of Capsicum annuum L. Defense System against Fusarium Wilt through Plant Activators and their Impact on Horticultural Attributes

Abstract

Capsicum annuum L. member of family Solanaceae is an important vegetable crop throughout the world. Fusarium wilt of chilli caused by Fusarium oxysporoum f.sp. capsici, is a serious destructive disease, which reduces its yield and is a major threat to the economy. Plant activators play an important role to manage soil born disease. In current study, a pot experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions in the research area of Plant Pathology Department, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Five plant activators K2HPO4, CaCl2, Benzoic acid, Salicylic acid and Alpha-Tocopherol were used to manage the Fusarium wilt of chilli. Soil drenching of each plant activator was applied at three different concentrations 0.25%, 0.5% and 0.75% after transplantation. Results showed that the minimum incidence of disease, maximum length of shoot, length of root was revealed by K2HPO4 at 0.75% concentration. While benzoic acid exhibit maximum shoot fresh weight, maximum shoot dry weight, fresh root weight and dry root weight at 0.75% concentration. Maximum fresh leaf weight showed by salicylic acid whereas maximum dry leaf weight exhibited by alpha-tocopherol at 0.75% concentration. It was concluded that K2HPO4 at 0.75% concentration is effective to manage Fusarium wiltof chilli that can be used to manage disease in future.