EFFICACY OF COMMON EDIBLE OILS TO CONTROL ASCOCHYTA BLIGHT IN LEGUMES

Abstract

Kidney Bean, chickpea and pea are the most cultivated legumes worldwide. Their yield loss factors include fungal attack along with other biotic and abiotic issues. In this study, we have evaluated 15 different edible oils to control Ascochyta blight disease of these crops. Our results revealed different potential of edible oils to control and suppress disease and this activity was related to the functional groups present in them. Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR) was performed to evaluate the functional groups present in 15 different edible oils, used to check antifungal activity against Aschochyta rabiei. FTIR results demonstrated that the resistant oils contain nitrogen containing compounds (Amides, Alkaloids) in greater proportion than susceptible oils and these are responsible for their antifungal activity. Edible oils were tested both in vitro and in vivo for antifungal activity and the investigation showed that Ricinus communis, Triticum aestivum, Sesamum indicum and Papaver somniferm oils were efficiently controlling and suppressing disease. Remaining oils did not show antifungal activity to that extent, both in vivo and in vitro. Analyses of biochemical and physiological parameters helped us to evaluate the antifungal activity in vivo. Application of useful oils increased sugar content, chlorophyll content and relative water content in plants. This increase might have helped plants to alleviate stress level of the plants and they survived better than control. Our study proves edible oils to be one of the best environment friendly solutions of Ascochyta blight disease in pulses.