Journal of Environmental Biology

Induced changes in the antioxidative compounds of Vigna mungo genotypes due to infestation by Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius)

Gaurav Kumar Taggar¹*, Ranjit Singh Gill², Anil Kumar Gupta³ and Sarvjeet Singh¹

¹Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004, India

²Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004, India

³Department of Biochemistry, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004, India

*Corresponding Author?s Email : gauravtaggar@pau.edu

Publication Data

Paper received:

16 April 2013

Revised received:

27 August 2013

Accepted:

05 October 2013

Abstract

Antioxidative compounds were quantified from the leaves of nine black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) genotypes over a period of two years, for potential whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleryrodidae) resistance. Oviposition preference, nymphal and adult development were evaluated under screen-house conditions. Biochemical analysis revealed that higher per cent increase in the total phenol and o-dihydroxy phenol contents both at 30 and 50 days after sowing was evident in moderately resistant genotypes NDU 5-7 (49.6 and 50.8%, respectively) and KU 99-20 (47.8 and 50.8%, respectively) under whitefly stress conditions as compared to non-stressed plants. Tannin and flavonol contents in leaves increased to varying degrees (up to 11.1 and 7.1%, respectively) in resistant plants after whitefly infestation, indicating that the changes in tannin and flavonol contents were closely associated with the resistance to whitefly. Correlation studies relating leaf content of black gram antioxidative compounds from different genotypes with whitefly population were also worked out. Total phenols (r= -0.71 & -0.88), o-dihydroxy phenols (r= -0.56 & -0.76), flavonols (r= -0.80 & -0.81) and tannins (r= -0.16 & -0.26) showed significant negative correlation with whitefly population (nymphs and adults) suggesting that enhanced level of these biochemicals may contribute to bioprotection of black gram plants against B. tabaci infestation. Comparatively higher level of resistance in genotype NDU 5-7 and KU 99-20 can serve as base for genetic improvement of black gram, focusing on the development of resistant varieties to B. tabaci.

Key words

Bemisia tabaci, Black gram, Correlation, O-dihydroxy phenols, Phenols, Resistance, Whitefly 

Copyright ? 2014 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the conclusions enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).