Immunoserological studies on root rot of groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.)

Abstract

Antigens obtained from two isolates of Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid, a pathogen of groundnut, four non-pathogens of groundnut (viz. Corticium sasakii Shirai (Matsumoto), Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, C. corchori (Pagvi and Singh), and Botrytis alii), and five cultivars of Arachis hypogea L. were compared by immunodiffusion, immunoelectrophoretic, and crossed-immunoelectrophoretic techniques for the presence of cross-reactive antigens. Common antigens were found among the susceptible cultivars of groundnut and two isolates of M. phaseolina, but not between nonpathogens and groundnut cultivars. No antigenic similarity was found between nonpathogens and M. phaseolina isolates. Crossed-immunoelectrophoretic tests confirmed that at least one antigen was common between cv. J-11 and cv. TMV-2, cv. Kadiri 71-1 and cv. TMV-2, and cv. Kadiri 71-1 and isolates of M. phaseolina.