Cisaberoptus kenyae Keifer, the mango
leaf coating mite is a widely distributed eriophyid species in the tropics,
infesting all varieties of mango trees. The mite produces a white colored leaf
coating on the adaxial surface of mango leaves, which extends to the entire
leaf lamina in severely infested leaves. The present paper discusses the
feeding impact of the mite on the photosynthetic pigments, and other
biochemical parameters of mango leaves. Biochemical studies enabled to record a
significant decrease in the chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments in mite
infested mango leaves when compared to the uninfested leaves. The percentage
loss in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and carotenoids was
observed to be 65.80-84.64, 76.57-95.29, 68.69-87.13 and 39.31-56.75 respectively.
Analysis of photosynthetic efficiency by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) using the Handy PEA Hansatech Instrument pt. Ltd, UK
revealed a decreased value, falling in the range of 25.15-28.43%. Mite
infestation induced a significant loss in total carbohydrate also
(57.86-80.58%) when estimated through Anthrone’s method. Contrary to the above,
a significant increase was observed in the proline and total phenol
concentrations in mite infested leaves. An increase from 2.9578±0.36 to 5.2611±
0.61 µg/g was observed in the concentration of proline in mite infested leaf
tissue. Total phenol content showed an increase from 55.14± 1.72 to 81.16± 0.85
mg/g in mite infested leaves. Results showed a statistical significance
(p<0.05), confirming that infestation by C.
kenyae induced severe stress, leading to enhanced production of defense
compounds like proline and total phenol, thereby adversely affecting the
photosynthetic efficiency and primary metabolite production of the host, M. indica.
Primary Language | English |
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Subjects | Agricultural Engineering |
Journal Section | Research Article |
Authors | |
Publication Date | July 31, 2019 |
Published in Issue | Year 2019 Volume: 1 Issue: 2 |
Acarological Studies is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International.
International Scientific Research Journal on Acarology