Vol. 22 No. 8 (2007): August
Articles

Enzymatic and hormonal studies in Acacia eburnea infected with Ravenelia esculenta

Published 2007-08-21

Abstract

Ravenelia esculenta Naras. and Thirum. infects Acacia eburnea Willd. producing hypertrophy in infected parts, mainly thorns, inflorescence, flowers and fruits. The hypertrophied parts are edible and consumed with relish. The severe stages of the disease are marked by pronounced hypertrophy in the infected parts, frequently 10 times or more. The disease progress is marked by gradual increase in hypertrophy and severe stages show presence of brown aecial cups. The process of disease development was studied to analyse various biochemical changes. Enzymatic studies showed significant shifts in the activities of enzymes like Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) (EC 1.14.18.1), Peroxidase (POX) (EC 1.11.1.7) and IAA Oxidase (IAAO). Activity of PPO was found to be in accordance with the quantity of total phenols. POX activity was found to be maximum during severe infection stage. Maximum IAAO activity was noticed during initiation of hypertrophy. These studies help to reveal the enzymatic changes during disease development by fungi. Changes in IAAO activities are suggestive of possible involvement of IAA, its derivatives and GA interaction in development of hypertrophied structures.