Journal of Plant Pathology & Microbiology

Abstract

Effect of Drechslera bicolor Infection on Physiology of Bell Pepper

Kuldeep Singh Jadon and Rakesh Shah

A study using susceptible cultivar (cv Bombay red) to D. bicolor grown under inoculated (infected) and noninoculated (healthy) conditions in the field at Department of Plant Pathology (R. C. A.), Udaipur. Data were recorded on different physiological parameters i.e. chlorophyll ‘a’, total chlorophyll, carotenoids content, chlorophyll stability index, photoactive radiation, leaf temperature, leaf area index and photosynthesis decreased in the infected plant compare to healthy plant while chlorophyll ‘b’, membrane permeability, transpiration rate, cuvette temperature, stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration, relative humidity and vapour pressure deficit increased in the infected plant compare to healthy plant. In addition, total sugar, mineral status, water status were also decreased in the infected plants compare to healthy plants. However, the superoxide dismutase enzyme activity was very high in healthy plants compared to infected plants. These results indicated that the maintenance of physiological function during leaf blight infection could result in improved bell pepper yields under diseased conditions.