Cerebroside as an elicitor for induced resistance against the downy mildew pathogen in pearl millet

Innate defence mechanisms in plants can be triggered and enhanced by certain agents, which are referred to as inducers. Inducing resistance against a broad spectrum of pathogens in otherwise susceptible plants is seen as a potentially safer alternative to other methods of chemical control of plant diseases. Cerebrosides, which are glycosphingolipids extracted from various plant pathogens, have been reported as resistance elicitors in the rice-pathogen system. In the present study, cerebroside elicited resistance against downy mildew disease (caused by Sclerospora graminicola) of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) that was highly significant. The resistance was of systemic nature and the time required for the resistance to build up was from 2 days onwards. There was a significant yield enhancement due to disease suppression by cerebroside treatment. Promising results were obtained in a preliminary field trial.