Role of metabolites of Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl. on some growth parameters of Triticum aestivum L.

Abstract: Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl. is well known plant pathogen, food spoiler causing major damage to food commodities and also a common allergens in humans. It is reported as pathogens of wheat responsible for causing seed discoloration, seedling emergence, seed rots, seedling blight, rotting and a patent producer of variety of magnitude of metabolites of medical importance. In present study, attempts were made to grow the pathogen in artificial culture broth for period of 20 days for metabolite production. The culture filtrate thus obtained was graded in different concentrations and each was tested against wheat seeds and studied parameter such as seed germination rate seedling emergence and green biomass production. The rate of seed germination; the shoot length; biomass of shoot was declined against untreated control. Control seeds did not express many changes. The inhibitory effect was more pronounced for these parameters in response to increase in concentration of culture filtrate. Absolute culture filtrate had greater phytotoxic effect against control and the seed soaked in Czapek's broth nutrition medium enhanced seed germination, seedling emergence and green biomass production.

Keywords: metabolite, viability, seedling, biomass, metabolites, inhibition.