Abstract

FOLIAR APPLICATION OF AGAVE CANTALA ROXB. LEAF EXTRACT ENHANCES ANTIOXIDATIVE DEFENSE MECHANISM IN GRAPE (VITIS VINIFERA L.) LEAVES INFECTED WITH DOWNY MILDEW

Vishal V. Naik*, Milind S. Bansode, Sharadkumar P. Bartakke

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted to assess effect of aqueous leaf extract of Agave cantala on antioxidative mechanism in the leaves of Vitis vinifera infected with downy mildew. Enhancements of chlorophylls, carotenoids with total polyphenols were noticed in grape leaves infected downy mildew after application of A. cantala leaf extract. Further, it was also noticed that activities of enzymes peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase were increased and activity of enzyme catalase was decreased in sprayed grape leaves. From these results, it is concluded that Agave cantala leaf extract may be useful for controlling of downy mildew of grape.

Keywords: Agave cantala, Antioxidants, Downy mildew, Vitis vinifera.