Abstract

Changes in biochemical parameters like total carbohydrates, total sugars, total chlorophyll, moisture, ash, total phenolic content, peroxidase (PO), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), catalase (CAT) were compared with susceptible (CO 2 variety) and less susceptible (Solanum viarum) to papaya mealybug. Total carbohydrates, total sugars and total chlorophyll were higher in susceptible variety (CO2). Low moisture content and high ash content was observed in less susceptible cultivar S. viarum. The resistance in brinjal varieties was characterized by the presence of defense enzymes like PO, PPO, PAL, CAT and total phenols in different levels. There was a clear correlation between the levels of biochemical constituents and mealybug incidence.

Keywords: Brinjal, Paracoccus marginatus, resistance, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, catalase.