Gall is acting like a metabolic sink and hence it is expected that there is wide variation in the distribution of metabolites and metabolic activity of the host plant. Since leaf is the site of gall infection the changes may be noticeable in leaf when compared to other parts of the plant. In this study, efforts has been taken to estimate photosynthetic pigments, total soluble sugar, total carbohydrates and starch content of the galled and ungalled leaf of Mallotus philippensis which helps to comprehend the carbohydrate metabolism of the plant. Total protein content, total free amino acid content, proline content, activity of amylase and invertase enzymes has also attempted in the present investigation. Total chlorophyll tends to decrease in the galled t issue where as significant increase was recorded in the carotenoid content of galled leaves. The metabolites like protein, aminoacid, starch and carbohydrates tend to increase significantly in the galled leaves as compared to the control leaves. Similarly increased accumulation of osmolytes like proline and soluble sugar was also recorded in accordance with the gall formation. These results indicate that, gall forming insects has rescheduled the metabolic pathways of the host plants, in such a way that the gall forming tissue can act as a metabolic sink there by aiding nutrition to the insects. In addition, the increased accumulation of osmolytes indicates the presence of well defined antioxidant machinery operating in the plant under biotic stress.
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