Role of Toxin Produced by Alternaria alternata in Leaf Blight of Anthurium and Its Detoxification by Antagonists
S. Thangeswari *
Department of Plant Pathology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
M. Deivamani
ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu, India.
M. Paramasivam
Regional Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Virudhachalam, Tamil Nadu, India.
K. Govindan
Regional Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Paiyur, Tamil Nadu, India.
S. Malathi
Information and Training Centre, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
V.K. Satya
Horticultural College and Research Institute (Women), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India.
R. Ramjegathesh
National Pulses Research Centre, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Vamban, Pudhukottai, Tamil Nadu, India.
K. Sasikumar
Regional Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Paiyur, Tamil Nadu, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A study was conducted to investigate the degradation of the phytotoxin produced by the anthurium leaf blight pathogen Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler by antagonistic bacterial and fungal strains. Toxin extracted from leaf blight pathogen caused by A. Alternata showed the typical symptoms of detached leaves and increased the loss of electrolytes from anthurium leaves. Among the biocontrol agents tested, Pseudomonas fluorescens strain CFP1 was found to be highly effective detoxification of the pathogen toxin by utilizing the carbon source.
Keywords: Alternaria alternata, Anthurium, antagonists, toxin, detoxification