Transgenic Technology and Powdery Mildew Management in Capsicum Annuum : Integrated powdery mildew management and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated in planta transformation method in Capsicum

Powdery mildew is a serious fungal disease on bell pepper crops leading to heavy yield losses both under greenhouse and field conditions. Herein, we adopted 13 chemical fungicides and 8 biocontrol agents and 13 botanicals to manage powdery mildew disease under field conditions. Interestingly, dinocap, among chemical fungicides, Ampelomyces quisqualis among biocontrol agents and neem oil among botanicals reported minimum disease and the maximum yield compared to untreated controls. Next, these treatments were integrated in various combinations to minimize the use of fungicide applications under field conditions. By adopting integrated disease management package the yield increased to 232% compared to control plots. Finally, transgenic bell pepper plants have been developed by a tissue culture independent Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated in planta transformation procedure. This method resulted in 32.4% of stable transformants in bell pepper. Therefore, our studies should especially useful to those who researchers work in the area of agricultural pathology and transgenic technology for crop improvement and protection.