Biochemical Studies in Plants infected by Parasitic Nematodes

Abstract

According to the programme of work, survey of the vegetables and fruits crowing fields were carried out in some part of Sindh region producing, Okra (Hibiscus esculentus), Banana (Husa sp). Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), citrus (citrus sp). Healthy and infected roots and soil samples were collected. Soil sample particularly from the region around the roots of the plant at depth of 6 Inches to 1ft were collected and processed in the laboratory by using Baermann-funnel technique and sieving method. The worms thus separated from the soil and tissues and making permanent slides. The parasitic nematodes were identified in the laboratory and pure population of single genus in a counted number were collected in a speasimen bottle for biochemical studies. Biochemical studies were carried out on four valuable crops of Sindh region, the infected roots, heathy roots, parasitic nematodes and infected and healthy soils of different crops were analysed. Banana and Okra were taken for the 1st six months of the project. Tomato and Citrus were analysed for 2nd six months. Different changes were observed after investigations in metabolites of roots. The studies include carbohydrate, proteins, protein nitrogen, triglycerides, lipids, enzymes assay of infected and healthy roots of four crops by different methods, all these studies were carried out on parasitic nematodes and soil analysis of infected and heathy fields. Biochemical studies carried out on healthy, infected roots and parasitic nematodes includes these parameters. • Carbohydrates content by anthrone method. • Protein content by Lowry method. • Protein nitrogen and protein content by microjeldahl method. • Lipid content and triglyceride content by stern shipare method. • Acid and alkaline phosphatase activity by Babson’s method. • Amylases, Somogyi method and isoperoxidase activity. Soil analysis of healthy and infected areas includes these parameters. • pH determination. • Moisture present in soil. • Sodium chloride estimation. • Phosphate content, Fogg Wilkinson method. • Sodium and Potassium content by flame photometer. Different metabolic changes were observed in infected roots of all the crops, from these studies marker for nematodes infection may evolve, and some extensive investigations are needed for future work.