Induction of resistance in Safflower plant against root rot and wilt diseases by certain inducers

Abstract

The ability of thiamine (vitamin B1) and ascorbic acid to induce resistance against root rot and wilt disease in safflower cultivar Giza1 infected with Fusarium verticillioides was studied under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Infection with F. verticillioides caused clear reduction in growth parameters (fresh and dry weight of plants, total photosynthetic pigments), soluble sugars and free amino acids comparing with healthy plants. In addition, it induced the highest accumulation of proline content. On the other side, soaking with two levels of thiamine and ascorbic acid caused reduction in the  infected safflower plants and increased dry and fresh weight contents especially in shoots than roots comparing with the infected plants with F. verticillioides. Thiamine concentrations (1,3mM) induced the highest stimulating effect on total pigments. The induction of resistance by ascorbic acid and thiamine was associated with some biochemical changes in safflower cultivar by reduction of proline content, enhancement of soluble sugars and free amino acids, this may be relate to reduce the disease and increase plant growth.