Metabolic and physiological changes induced in Sesamum indicum infected by phytoplasmas

Sesame is one of the oldest oil seed crops grown around the world and phytoplasmas are one of the most destructive plant pathogens associated with different morphological, anatomical and physiological changes leading to huge losses in oil seed crop production. The objective of the present study was to quantify and study various primary and secondary metabolites produced in response to phytoplasma infection to understand how phytoplasma affects the physiology and metabolic processes of infected plants. In the infected sesame plants increased catalase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activity along with phenolic contents and soluble proteins was detected. The levels of proline and glycinebetaine also increased. Higher levels of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide were measured and infected plants showed lower contents of soluble sugars.