Biochemical Changes in Bajra (Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone) Infected with Fusarium Verticillioides

AbstractBiochemical changes in healthy and artificially inoculated roko resistant (Fv-4) and sensitive (Fv-16) isolates of Fusarium verticillioides causing top rot disease were studied. There was a significant variation between healthy and infected plants, with respect to the contents of polyphenol, reducing sugar, total sugar, starch, DNA, RNA, minerals, and total ash. Reduction in starch and total sugar was observed due to the infection, while the amounts of DNA, RNA, reducing sugar and polyphenols were increased in infected plants. Phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc contents were reduced whereas, calcium and iron contents were increased in infected plats than those in healthy plants. These changes were pronounced due to the utilization of nutrients by fungal pathogen.