Archivio Journal of Plant Pathology

Abstract:

A sub-lethal dose (50 μM) of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) pre-treatment protected wheat (Triticum aestivum, cv. Sonalika) seedlings against Fusarium oxysporum by antagonizing oxidative stress developed during infection. A reduced level of H2O2 content was observed in case of co-stressed (50 μM CdCl2 pre-treatment followed by Fusarium oxysporum infection) tissues as compared with healthy phenotypes. An elevated concentration of SA as well as DPPH, ABTS free radical scavenging activity was observed in co-stressed tissues as compared with Fusarium-infected seedlings. In contrast, lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation in co-stressed tissues were comparatively lower when compared with Fusarium-infected seedlings. However, total phenolic and chlorophyll contents were observed to be marginal in Fusarium-infected tissues as compared with co- stressed, untreated control and Cd2+ pre-treated seedlings. Thus, a comparative biochemical assay with relation to the oxidative stress in infected, uninfected and co-stressed tissues suggest the protective nature of a low dose (50 μM) of Cd2+ against Fusarium infection in wheat. Hence, a Cd2+ pre-treatment offered resistance to wheat directly and/or indirectly by reducing the oxidative stress developed during Fusarium infection.