Secondary metabolites of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and their role in pathogenesis after infection by Sclerotium rolfsii

Abstract

HPLC analysis of various parts of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after infection with Sclerotium rolfsii indicates that the plants contain high amount of secondary metabolites. Analysis of 24 h-colonized rot collar region, plant leaves and roots of chickpea showed that gallic, o-coumaric and salicylic acids were maximum in these parts as compared to control (uninoculated) plant parts. In the collar region after 48 h, gallic acid was maximum followed by tannic, chlorogenic, salicylic and o-coumaric acids but vanillic and cinnamic acids were in traces. The un-inoculated collar region contained only five phenolic acids. After 72 h of colonization, the level of phenolic acids was drastically changed in collar, leaves and roots. Gallic acid was maximum followed by vanillic and other phenolic acids as compared to un-inoculated leaves. However, in collar the number and amount of phenolic acids was drastically reduced with increased amount of gallic and tannic acids. The chlorogenic and salicylic acids were in traces as compared to the control. Roots of inoculated and un-inoculated plants had four phenolic acids. In 96 h-colonized chickpea plants, leaves had only four phenolic acids in which gallic acid was maximum followed by vanillic, coumaric and salicylic acids. In the un-inoculated plant leaves, six phenolic acids were present in which gallic acid was maximum followed by vanillic, tannic, chlorogenic, salicylic and coumaric acids. In colonized and un-inoculated collar regions, gallic and tannic acids were maximum but others in traces. The un-inoculated roots were rich in phenolic acids as compared to inoculated. © Eugen Ulmer GmbH & Co.