Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

NON-ENZYMATIC ANTIOXIDANT DEFENSE RESPONSES IN CHILLI (CAPSICUM ANNUUM L.) GENOTYPES TO CUCUMBER MOSAIC VIRUS

Neelima Arora, Manpreet and Amandeep Kaur

Abstract

Eight chilli genotypes- six resistant (PP 965-0 I -601, VC I 6A,VC 41A, VC 21 I A, VC 228A and VC 246A) and two susceptible (Local selection I and Local selection II) showing variable degree of resistance to cucumber mosaic virus which caused chilli mosaic were evaluated for moisture percentage, membrane permeability and some non-enzymatic antioxidants viz total phenols, flavonoids, ascorbic acid and a tocopherol at two stages of plant development i.e. nursery stage (before the onset of disease) and flowering stage (after the onset of disease). Moisture content, total phenols, flavonoids, ascorbic acid and a tocopherol were significantly higher in resistant as compared to susceptible genotypes whereas membrane permeability depicting electrolyte leakage was more in susceptible genotypes. The infected leaves of susceptible genotypes exhibited further decline in all the parameters except electrolyte leakage which recorded increase after pathogenesis. Higher levels of antioxidants are therefore useful in imparting resistance to chilli genotypes against cucumber mosaic virus.They can also be useful as markers in screening of large population of chilli genotypes for their resistance to CMV before the onset of disease.