BHU team finds way to enhance disease resistance in wheat crops

A study by Dr Prashant Singh and his PhD student Menka Tiwari of the Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University finds out that Beta-aminobutyric acid (BABA) priming significantly enhances wheat growth and disease resistance, effectively mitigating the detrimental effects of competition while simultaneously bolstering the plant’s defense mechanisms.

Priming is a method used to decrease the germination time of a seed

The study has been recently published in the journal Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology. The research, titled ‘Bolstering Wheat’s Immunity: BABA-Mediated Defense Priming Against Bipolaris sorokiniana Amid Competition,’ addresses the challenge of wheat’s defenses against biotic stresses, focusing on fungal pathogen Bipolaris sorokiniana, which is responsible for spot blotch disease in wheat. The study revealed that although growth parameters exhibited a decline with increased competition for both primed and non-primed wheat, the BABA-primed wheat demonstrated superior morphological growth and exhibited better overall performance, even when subjected to intense disease pressure. Comprehensive biochemical analyses indicated that the defense mechanisms in primed wheat were strategically activated only upon pathogen challenge, thereby establishing the efficacy of the priming effect. Moreover, the yield was also found to be positively correlated with BABA priming.

This study highlights the immense potential of BABA as a viable and environmentally friendly approach to enhance wheat resilience and yield, particularly in competitive environments. The research contributes significantly to the advancement of sustainable agricultural practices by improving crop protection and productivity, paving the way for a more secure and abundant food supply in the face of ever-increasing global challenges.

This article has been republished from The Times of India.