Effect of consortium of Chaetomium globosum, Gliocladium rosuem and propiconazole on the expression of defense biochemical enzymes in early blight of tomato
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/jefa.2026.21.1.18Keywords:
Tomato, early blight, biochemical, management.Abstract
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), a vital horticultural crop worldwide, faces substantial yield losses due to early blight caused by Alternaria solani. The study conducted for two years, evaluated the efficacy of Chaetomium globosum, Gliocladium roseum, and propiconazole, alone and in combination, in mitigating early blight infection in two tomato cultivars, Kashi Aman and Arka Rakshak. A. solani (AS) was isolated and used for pathogenic challenge, followed by various treatments and assessment of enzymatic and physiological responses at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours post inoculation. Biochemical assays revealed that the combined treatment (CG+P+AS: seed treatment with C. globosum, and foliar spray of propiconazole) consistently elicited the highest induction of defense-related enzymes, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, and catalase, as well as increased malondialdehyde content, indicating an amplified oxidative response. Statistical analyses validated the significance of treatment effects across both years of study. The results suggested that the synergistic action of C. globosum and propiconazole enhanced the plant’s systemic resistance, offering a promising integrated disease management strategy for early blight in tomatoes. These findings contributed to the understanding of biochemical defense pathways and underscore the potential of combining biocontrol agents with fungicides to reduce pathogen damage, while promoting sustainable agriculture.
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