Enhancement of Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase, Polyphenoloxidase, and Peroxidase in Cucumber Seedlings by Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Infestation

In this study, the activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polyphenoloxidase (PPO), and peroxidase (POD) were assayed in cucumber seedlings (Cucumis sativus L.) at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after they were infested by Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) using spectrophotometric analysis. The results indicated that herbivore infestation increased the activities of PAL, PPO, and POD. The enzymes showed different activity levels at different times after the infestation. The PAL activity reached the first high peak by 23.1% at 6 h and the highest peak by 29.1% at 48 h compared to the control. The PPO activity reached the first high peak by 22.7% at 6 h and the highest peak by 52.6% at 24 h, and the POD activity reached the highest peak by 213.2% at 6 h and another higher peak value by 135.2% at 96 h. The results suggest that the enhanced activities of the enzymes may contribute to bioprotection of cucumber plants against B. tabaci infestation.