Modulation of Antioxidant Properties in Leaves of Betel Vine (Piper betel L.) Influenced by the Fungicide Blitox

Abstract

The experiment was conducted using a Randomized Block Design with three replications at the Plant Virus Research Station, BCKV, Kalyani, in Boroj. On betel vines, Blitox was sprayed at both double the recommended field dose (dRFD) and the recommended field dose (RFD) (50 WP/ha @ 15gm ai/6 lit). The vines were sprayed five more times at 15-day intervals beginning when they were 11.08.15 days old. Before every spray, leaf samples were taken and subjected to a number of criteria for analysis. Based on statistical analysis, the anti-oxidative characteristics improved most significantly when Blitox was administered at twice the recommended field dose (dRFD) (Blitox 50WP/ha @ 30gm ai/6 lit). Higher levels of free and total phenols, together with enhanced activity of enzymes such polyphenol peroxidase (PPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD), were indicators of this. Furthermore, testing for ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) revealed increased activity levels in the dRFD therapy in comparison to the RFD and control groups. Overall, these results imply that the larger Blitox dosage strengthens the antioxidant characteristics of betel vine leaves, hence enhancing their health and resistance to fungus-related infections.