Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase and Total Phenol Content in Resistant Banana to Pratylenchus coffeae

The biochemical alterations in resistance banana accessions showed that relatively higher Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase (PAL) activity than the susceptible ones indicating the inherent higher content of PAL in resistant accessions. The higher activity of this enzyme in resistant accessions viz., Karthobiumtham, M. balbisiana, Kanai Bansi, Bhimkol, Athiakol, Aittakol, Kechulepa was negatively correlated with lesion index of roots and corm. Increase in phenol content and enzyme activities were negatively related with the degree of infestation. In the present study, total phenol estimated in roots of banana genotypes showed that these compounds were higher in resistant accessions than susceptible ones.