Abstract

Foxtail millet is an important staple food having good nutritional values. The fungus Pyricularia setariae causes
Blast infection in foxtail millet leading to the crop loss. Lipoxygenase (LOX) activity is essential for a plant in
growth, resistance to infections, and stress conditions. The present study focuses on LOX activity in foxtail millet
seedlings during the course of germination and infected condition. The resistant variety of foxtail millet seedlings
was exhibiting more LOX activity than susceptible seedlings, and pH 6.5 was optimum for the LOX activity. LOX
activity was more in foxtail millet leaf when compared with root and stem. LOX activity was more in germinating
seedlings on the day three. One-fold increase in LOX activity on infection with P. setariae causing blast infection
was observed in resistant seed varieties of foxtail millet.