Quantitative PCR (qPCR) Data Analysis of SOD and its Activity and Expression in Elettaria cardamomum under Biotic Stress

The aim of the study was to compare the relative gene expression of Superoxide dismutase (SOD) in tolerant and susceptible cardamom plants under shoot borer attack. The difference in the SOD gene expression was supported by measuring the activity of the enzyme. Relative quantification of SOD gene was done in tolerant and susceptible plants of cardamom by qPCR. The variation of SOD activity was determined in methyl jasmonate (MeJa) treated and untreated plants by spectrophotometric and in gel assays. The free radical scavenging ability of tolerant plants was measured by DPPH assay. The quantitative gene expression of SOD was higher in tolerant plants than the susceptible ones indicating its resistant nature. The MeJa treated plants showed two fold increase in SOD gene expression, compared to untreated plants revealing the effect of MeJa in inducing resistance. The variation noticed in the qPCR analysis was reflected in the assay data of SOD in susceptible and tolerant plants as well s MeJa treated and untreated plants. The higher rate of free radical scavenging quality of tolerant plants than susceptible obviously supports the active phase of defense mechanism in tolerant plants. qPCR analysis and the assay data of SOD clearly supports the defense mechanism of SOD against biotic attack.