Biochemical Changes Induced by Meloidogyne graminicola in Resistant and Susceptible Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) Hybrids

Gurpreet Singh, Rambir Singh Kanwar, Lochan Sharma, Neeraj , Lakshman Kumar Chugh and Prashant Kaushik

Background and Objective: Meloidogyne graminicola is a potential threat to the successful cultivation of the pearl millet, significantly reducing its yield and produce quality. Moreover, biochemical and physiological changes induced by Meloidogyne graminicola susceptible and resistant hybrids of pearl millet is not known in detail. The study was focused on the biochemical changes induced by the root-knot nematode,Meloidogyne graminicolaon pearl millet hybrids to determine the role of different biochemical on nature of resistance of the plants. Materials and Methods: Resistant (HHB 146) and susceptible (HHB 272) pearl millet hybrids were grown in steam-sterilized soil with two different sets, i.e., inoculated and uninoculated. Data was recorded on various biochemical parameters from roots and shoot portion on 15, 30 and 45 Days After Inoculation (DAI). Results: Total protein and phenols were increased in the roots and shoot portion of the infected plants. Total sugar was reduced inM. graminicolainfected plants and this reduction was more pronounced in case of susceptible inoculated plants. Phenol content increases as a result of nematode infection. On the other side, due to nematode infection sugar content in roots of susceptible hybrid is comparatively lesser as compared to resistant hybrid. Conclusion: It is concluded that root-knot nematodes,M. graminicolabring about significant biochemical changes in infected plants, which appear to employ physiological and biochemical strategies either to avoid or to tolerate the nematode infection.

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