Effect of Foliar Application of Methyl Salicylate (MeSA) on Antioxidant Ability Depicting the Role in Allelopathic Potential of Rice Genotypes

The present investigation was conducted in the Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre in G. B.Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pant nagar, Uttarakhand, with an objective to elucidate the role of MeSA on antioxidant activity which is significantly corelated with increase in allelopathic and yield potential of rice genotypes. For the study two allelopathic (UPR 2962-6-2-1 and Govind) and another non-allelopathic (UPR 2992-17-3-1) rice genotypes were undertaken and thereafter dealt with MeSA solution at diverse amount (1 mM, 2 mM, and 3 mM). Exogenous treatment of rice (Oryza sativa L.) with MeSA improved its allelopathic probability and led to buildup of additional phenolics, and an increase in gene transcription of enzymatic activities (SOD) Increasing phenolic content and enzymes activities without compromising the yield of the crop plants is necessary for increasing the competitiveness of the genotypes. Antioxidant activity was measured at different growth stages. In the present investigation superoxide dismutase (SOD) was found to be 10-50% enhanced in the rice plants with the application of MeSA .Treatment with MeSA has resulted in increase in antioxidant activity which can be suggested to improve the competitive ability of the genotypes and amongst all the treatments 0.2 mM dose of MeSA has responded best. From our study it is highlighted that the resilient capacity and plasticity of these contrasting genotypes is different in response to MeSA treatments which can further be evaluated and moreover antioxidant activity can be presuppose to be applied as suitable trait in rice weed interaction for sustainable agriculture.