Enhanced Systemic Resistance and Yield against Puccinia triticina Eriks in Wheat through Botanicals under In-vivo condition; An Eco-Friendly Approach

In present study four types of botanical extracts including neem (Azadirachta indica L.), safeda (Eucalyptus cameldulensis Dehnh.), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis Spenn.) and ajwain (Trachyspermum-ammi L.) were selected and pre-inoculated on susceptible wheat cultivar “Morocco” to evaluate their effect on oxidative enzyme activity, chlorophyll contents, phenol contents and yield components against Puccinia triticina Eriks under In-vivo conditions during 2018/2019 growing seasons. Coefficient of infection (ACI) for all botanicals ranging between 6.50-16.50 as compared to control (ACI= 78.00) reflect the significant response in reducing infection of leaf rust. Ajwain was the most effective, its efficiency reached 91.66%, similar to the efficiency of fungicide spotless 12.5 WP (93.20%) followed by rosemary (85.25%), neem (82.00%) and safeda (78.84%). Moreover, all tested botanicals significantly increased the wheat yield components. Similarly, the biochemical analysis revealed that chlorophyll contents, oxidative enzymes activities (POX PPO) and phenol contents in all treated plants increased. We conclude pre-application of botanical extracts is a promising approach for the management of leaf rust of wheat.