Induction of resistance to Meloidogyne incognita by DL-Beta amino butyric acid under salt stress condition

Abstract

Root-knot nematodes cause severe yield losses in crops. Though chemicals have been widely used to manage them, these chemicals have been restricted due to their hazardous environmental and health effects. In recent years, the use of bio-control agents and the induction of resistance are prominent control methods. In the present study, DL-beta-Amino Butyric Acid (BABA) was tested to control Meloidogyne incognita under salt stress conditions. The results indicate that 100 mM NaCl in combination with BABA (125 mu g/ml) significantly reduced gall index by 45% compared to the control. Interestingly, the lower dose of BABA combined with abiotic stress resulted in a similar efficacy to the higher dose of BABA (250 mu g/ml).