Abstract:

Procontarinia robusta, found in Xiamen downtown in 2000, is an insect harming mango trees. In this paper, we report the physiological and biochemical changes of the mango tree when infested by Procontarinai robusta. The the physiological and biochemical indices included total soluble protein, soluble sugar, nitrate nitrogen and pigment contents, as well as nitrate reductase (NR), superoxide dismutases (SOD), peroxidases (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities. The leaf damage was classified into four levels with 1-50, 51-100, 101-200 and >200 galls/leaf, respectively. The uninfected leaves served as control (CK). The results showed that there were no significant differences in soluble sugar and nitrate nitrogen content among levels. The infested leaves had significantly lower chlorophyll a and b content and soluble protein content than the CK. The levels of 101-200 and >200 galls/leaf had significantly higher carotenoid content than the CK. SOD, POD and CAT activities increased in the infested leaves. SOD activity in 51-100 and >200/leaf levels was significantly higher than the other levels. The level of >200 galls/leaf exhibited significantly higher POD and CAT activity than the other levels, while the level of 1-50 galls/leaf had lower POD and CAT activity than the other levels. Therefore, P. Robusta would have direct effects on plant photosynthesis. The protective enzyme activities also increased with the infestation degree.

Key words: mango tree, Procontarinai robusta, nutrient matter, pigment, SOD, POD, CAT