Rice blast disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae is one of the most destructive disease causing huge losses to rice yield in different parts of the world. Therefore, an attempt has been made to find out the resistance by screening and studying the genetic diversity of eighty released rice varieties by National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack (NRVs) using molecular markers linked to twelve major blast resistance (R) genes viz Pib, Piz, Piz-t, Pik, Pik-p, Pikm Pik-h, Pita/Pita-2, Pi2, Pi9, Pi1 and Pi5. Out of which, nineteen varieties (23.75%) showed resistance, twenty one were moderately resistant (26.25%) while remaining forty varieties (50%) showed susceptible in uniform blast nursery. Rice varieties possessing blast resistance genes varied from four to twelve and the frequencies of the resistance genes ranged from 0 to 100%. The cluster analysis grouped the eighty NRVs into two major clusters at 63% level of genetic similarity coefficient. The PIC value for seventeen markers varied from 0 to 0.37 at an average of 0.20. Out of seventeen markers, only five markers, 195R-1, Pi9-i, Pita3, YL155/YL87 and 40N23r corresponded to three broad spectrum R genes viz. Pi9, Pita/Pita2 and Pi5 were found to be significantly associated with the blast disease with explaining phenotypic variance from 3.5% to 7.7%. The population structure analysis and PCoA divided the entire 80 NRVs into two sub-groups. The outcome of this study would help to formulate strategies for improving rice blast resistance through genetic studies, plant-pathogen interaction, identification of novel R genes, development of new resistant varieties through marker-assisted breeding for improving rice blast resistance in India and worldwide.
This study is the first time report of utilization of Trichoderma spp. isolated from different tree bark from Odisha state of India for rice crop health management and higher productivity. Six isolates of Trichoderma spp. were identified based on the morphological characteristics and species determination was performed by molecular assays. One of the isolated strains determined as Trichoderma erinaceum outperformed others. Trichoderma erinaceum controlled three soil borne plant pathogens i.e. Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii and Sclerotium oryzae effectively under controlled condition and R. solani and Helminthosporium oryzae under filed condition. Seed treatments with the formulated isolates improved the germination rate of rice and enhanced vigour. These parameters along with higher chlorophyll content could be related to higher yield observed in two rice varieties; Karuna and Sahabhagidhan. Among the six isolates tested, Trichoderma erinaceum treatment recorded highest yield. Significantly higher expression of some stress related enzymes was observed in Trichoderma treated plants which helped in better crop growth both under biotic and abiotic stresses. These isolates helped both the varieties to accumulate more nutrients. This study proves that Trichoderma erinaceum obtained from tree bark may be incorporated in integrated rice crop management both as biocontrol agent and biofertilizer.
The use of herbicides has been questioned in recent past for their non-target effects. Therefore, we planned to study the effect of pretilachlor on growth and activities of microbes in tropical rice soil under controlled condition at National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, India. Three pretilachlor treatments, namely, recommended dose at 600 g a.i. ha(-1) (RD), double the recommended dose at 1200 g a.i. ha(-1) (2RD), and ten times of the recommended dose at 6000 g a.i. ha(-1) (10RD) along with control, were imposed. The initial residue (after 2 h of spray) deposits in soil were 0.174, 0.968, and 3.35 μg g(-1) for recommended, double the recommended, and ten times of the recommended doses, respectively. No residue in soil was detected in RD treatment on day 45. The half life values were 16.90, 17.76, and 36.47 days for RD, 2RD, and 10RD treatments, respectively. Application of pretilachlor at 10RD, in general, had significantly reduced the number of bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, nitrogen fixers, and microbial biomass carbon. Pretilachlor at RD did not record any significant changes in microbial properties compared to control. The results of the present study thus indicated that pretilachlor at RD can be safely used for controlling grassy weeds in rice fields.
Brown plant hopper (BPH) is one of the major destructive insect pests of rice, causing severe yield loss. Thirty-two BPH resistance genes have been identified in cultivated and wild species of rice Although, molecular mechanism of rice plant resistance against BPH studied through map-based cloning, due to non-existence of NMR/crystal structures of Bph14 protein, recognition of leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain and its interaction with different ligands are poorly understood. Thus, in the present study, in silico approach was adopted to predict three-dimensional structure of LRR domain of Bph14 using comparative modelling approach followed by interaction study with jasmonic and salicylic acids. LRR domain along with LRR-jasmonic and salicylic acid complexes were subjected to dynamic simulation using GROMACS, individually, for energy minimisation and refinement of the structure. Final binding energy of jasmonic and salicylic acid with LRR domain was calculated using MM/PBSA. Free-energy landscape analysis revealed that overall stability of LRR domain of Bph14 is not much affected after forming complex with jasmonic and salicylic acid. MM/PBSA analysis revealed that binding affinities of LRR domain towards salicylic acid is higher as compared to jasmonic acid. Interaction study of LRR domain with salicylic acid and jasmonic acid reveals that THR987 of LRR form hydrogen bond with both complexes. Thus, THR987 plays active role in the Bph14 and phytochemical interaction for inducing resistance in rice plant against BPH. In future, Bph14 gene and phytochemicals could be used in BPH management and development of novel resistant varieties for increasing rice yield.
Pretilachlor treatments, namely, recommended dose at 600 g a.i. ha (RD), double the recommended dose at 1200 g a.i. ha (2RD), ten times of the recommended dose at 6000 g a.i. ha (10RD) along with control, were used to study the effects of pretilachlor on soil enzymes in tropical rice soil. Pretilachlor, at recommended dose completely dissipated 30 days after herbicide application. Twenty days after herbicide application, the dehydrogenase activity was inhibited up to 27 %, 28 % and 40 % of initial values of RD, 2RD and 10RD treatments, respectively. Increase in fluorescein diacetate hydrolase activity was observed during the first 25 days post herbicide application up to 29 %, 36 % and 10 % of initial values of RD, 2RD and 10RD treatments, respectively. β-Glucosidase activity in the experiment did not provide a specific trend. In general, urease and acid phosphatase activities were not influenced by pretilachlor application. There were significant differences in alkaline phosphatase activities among the treatments until 25 days after herbicide application. Hence, pretilachlor may cause short term transitory changes in soil enzyme parameters. However, it has negative impact on soil enzymes at very high dose.
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