Enzymatic reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging system in mango varieties resistant and susceptible to malformation

Mango malformation inflicts a serious damage to the mango cultivation, resulting in decreased fruit production as well as quality. A number of biochemical compounds including mangiferin, phenolic compounds, polyphenol oxidase, and phytoalexins have been implicated to play a crucial role in the tolerance/resistance of different mango cultivars to malformation. The present study was attempted to identify a correlation between phytochemicals (phenolic compounds, enzymes, and antioxidants) and the extent of malformation in mango. This study underlines the significance of enzymatic ROS scavenging system in disease resistance/susceptibility. It further advocates strongly that the leaf PPO, LOX and antioxidant enzyme activities can be used as biochemical indicator for screening mango germplasm against malformation disorder. The results of the present investigation establish the role of biochemical metabolites in determining the tolerance of mango varieties to malformation malady which, however, needs to be further explored through the use of molecular tools and markers.

► Results signify the role of enzymatic ROS scavenging system in disease resistance/susceptibility.
► PPO, LOX and catalase are reliable biochemical indicator for screening against malformation disorder.
► Molecular manipulation of ROS scavenging enzymes can improve biotic stress-tolerance in mango.