Induction of resistance in rice against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae by foliar application of cow dung water extract

Pretreatment of rice leaves with 20 per cent cow dung water extract (CDWE) was found to reduce bacterial blight disease of rice to about 50 per cent. The suppression of the disease by the extract was not due to direct inhibition of the pathogen. Pretreatment of rice leaves with cow dung water extract as foliar spray induced the accumulation of phenolics and enhanced the activities of peroxidase, chitinase and ß-1.3-glucanase. The induced defense mechanisms might have played a role in reducing the disease.