Abstract

M. Sathiyabama*, M. Indhumathi and S. Muthukumar

Seed nanopriming with thiamine encapsulated chitosan nanoparticle, enhanced the growth of chickpea seedlings. Increase in number of leaves, plant fresh and dry weight was observed in treated chickpea seedlings when compared to untreated control. Increase in PR proteins viz, chitinase, β-1, 3 glucanase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase in leaves and roots of treated seedlings were observed. Treated and control seedlings were challenged with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri and allowed to grow further. In comparison to control, treatment suppressed the wilt pathogen attack on plants and nearly 81% wilt disease incidence was observed after 10 days in control plants. There is a correlation between the accumulation of defense enzymes and suppression of wilt disease incidence in chickpea seedlings.