Effect of benzyl amino purine on the pathogen growth and disease development of taro leaf blight caused by Phytophthora colocasia

摘要

Cytokinins are implicated in a wide variety of developmental and physiological processes in plants including host-pathogen interactions. The effect of cytokinin benzyl amino purine (BAP) on Phytophthora colocasiae mycelium growth was investigated in vitro and in planta. BAP inhibited the growth of P. colocasiae under in vitro conditions and a corresponding decrease in endo ( beta -1, 3 glucanase (EBG) activity was observed in a dose-dependent manner. The BAP mediated inhibitory effect of P. colocasiae mycelium growth was overcome by supplying the media with an external source of EBG. Results also showed that BAP has inhibitory effect on disease development in taro leading to a reduction in disease severity which correlated with increasing BAP concentrations. It is concluded that the use of BAP could be an important strategy in the control of taro leaf blight.