Induction of systemic tolerance to Tilletia indica in wheat by plant defence activators

Plant defence activators viz., benzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid S-methyl ester, β-aminobutyric acid and salicylic acid at 1 mM dosage were evaluated to manage Tilletia indica and cent percent protection was achieved under glass house conditions. Further, efforts were made to dissect expression pattern of pathogenesis-related genes which are downstream components of the systemic acquired resistance (SAR) pathway in response to primed compounds and T. indica infection, based on real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of marker gene expression levels. Maximal accumulation of PDF1.2 transcripts followed by PR1 and PR5 in independently primed wheat spikes with all tested compounds at three days post-inoculation was observed. Additionally, plant defence activators primed the plant for a rapid and intense response to pathogen infection involving augmented activation of salicylic acid (SA) – and jasmonic acid (JA)/ethylene (ET)-mediated defence response and enhanced level of wheat protection. Therefore, the use of plant defence activators to induce SAR could be used as a management strategy for reducing the impact of T. indica for quality and nutritious wheat production.