Variations in Biochemical Constituents for Tolerance to Nematode and Fusarium wilt Complex in Select Banana Hybrids

Banana is one of the most important fruit crops cultivated worldwide and its cultivation is hampered by infestation by nematode and Fusarium wilt complex. A pot culture experiment was conducted to study the change in biochemical constituents due to the inoculation of nematodes followed by Fusarium pathogen in select banana hybrids. The results indicated that the increase in production of defense-related compounds and enzymes such as total phenols, lignin, PO, PPO and PAL in the root tissues of inoculated plants. Among the four select banana hybrids, NPH-02-01 recorded high total phenol content (586.92 µg-1) and H 531 recorded high lignin content (1.58 %). Similarly the hybrid NPH-02-01 registered the higher activity of PO (3.5 abs.min-1.g-1), PPO (0.23 abs.min-1.g-1) and PAL (14.83 abs.min-1.g-1) when compared to other hybrids. The percentage increase of all the constituents in the hybrid NPH-02-01 was found to be comparatively higher with uninoculated plants and check cultivars.