Isolation and characterization of Botrytis antigen from Allium cepa L. and its role in rapid diagnosis of neck rot

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue V, May 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

 Isolation and characterization of Botrytis antigen from Allium cepa L. and its role in rapid diagnosis of neck rot

Prabin Kumar Sahoo¹, Amrita Masanta², K.Gopinath Achary³, Shikha Singh^4*
1,²,⁴Rama Devi Women’s University, Vidya Vihar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha,
³ Imgenex India Pvt. Ltd, E-5 Infocity, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
^*Corresponding author

Abstract:
Early and accurate diagnosis of neckrot in onions permits early treatment which can enhance yield and its storage. In the present study, polyclonal antibody (pAb) raised against the protein extract from Botrytis allii was established for the detection of neck rot using serological assays. The pathogenic proteins were recognized by ELISA with high sensitivity (50 ng). Correlation coefficient between infected onions from different stages and from different agroclimatic zones with antibody titres was taken as the primary endpoint for standardization of the protocol. Highest positive correlation (r ¼ 0.999) was observed in stage I and II infected samples of North-western zone, whereas low negative correlation (r ¼ _0.184) was found in stage III infected samples of Western zone with developed pAb. Linear positive correlations (R2) exist between antigenic proteins at all the stages of infection and the developed pAb titres. Hence, the developed pAbs could be used to detect the presence of the fungal pathogen at an early stage. This study recommends the use of these developed antibodies in rapid diagnosis of neckrot in onions.

Keywords: Neckrot, onions, Botrytis allii , Polyclonal antibody, ELISA, rapid diagnosis

1.Introduction
Onions (Allium cepa.L) regarded as “queen of kitchen” are an important food crop worldwide. It is commonly used for cooking purposes by almost all the population. It ensures excellent taste to dishes and also exhibits a number of therapeutic properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, anti -helmintic, anti inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, etc. [1]. India being the second largest onion growing country in the world, mainly harvest it in November to January and the second harvesting from January to May. There is a lot of demand of Indian Onion in the world, the country has exported 12,01,245.29 million tons of fresh onion to the world for the worth of Rs. 2,747.41 crores during the year 2015-16 [2]. However this value decreased as compared with the early and expected value due to neck rot infection in onions during storage period. Worldwide neck rot losses to the onion industry but variable and sporadic with some seasons bringing greater than 50% losses to individual crops. Neck rot species of Botrytis are distributed in all areas of the world where onions are produced, but greatest losses have been reported from temperate regions [3]. Although B. allii and B. aclada are the predominant species reported to cause neck rot of onion, these species are difficult to

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