Respiratory and enzymatic changes in the sclerotial root rot of groundnut

Abstract

Infection of groundnut hypocotyl region by Schrotium rolfsii was found to augment the respiratory rate of the host tissue. The respiratory rate reached the maximum during the symptom development stage and at this stage the activity of all the important terminal oxidative enzymes were also found to be enhanced. The results are discussed as proof of the role of increased oxidative enzyme activity in enhancing the respiratory rate of infected groundnut plants.