FOURIER TRANSFORM-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY TO MONITOR MODIFICATIONS IN CANOLA BIOCHEMISTRY CAUSED BY ALTERNARIA DESTRUENS

Abstract

Alternaria destruens (Simmons) is a serious pathogen of Brassica napus L. as well as the other members of mustard family resulting in significant yield loss worldwide. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy is a new, rapid, easy technique to study the compositional and metabolic changes in the plant cell wall after any biotic or abiotic stresses. In current research, FTIR technique was utilized to observe the biochemical changes in canola caused by A. destruens. The mid-infrared region of the spectrum revealed dramatic changes in protein, lipid and carbohydrate composition of the infected leaves and stem when compared to healthy leaves. Disturbed biochemistry of diseased plants could lead to a disaster for the yield of this major oil producing crop, therefore effective management strategy should be adopted on emergency basis.