Studies on the histomorphology of leaf galls on Alstonia scholaris L. (Apocynaceae) induced by Pauropsylla tuberculata Crawford

The present was undertaken the study investigate histomorphology of the leaf galls on Alstonia scholaris induced by Pauropsylla tuberculata. It was noted that Pauropsylla tuberculata forms pouch galls on the leaf of Alstonia scholaris. Galls develop due to the feeding of nymphs which induce metaplasia in the localized host tissue. In present investigation histomorphology of young, mature and old galls is given. Number of galls per plantwas also studied and number of galls and infestation percentage were also calculated.

Alstonia scholaris L. is a beautiful foliage tree with large canopy and because of this it has become a popular ornamental tree in land scapes and gardens in warm and temperate regions of the world. It is preferred as road side plant in cities, as it is highly affected to pollutants. However, gall caused by Pauropsylla tuberculata (Homoptera – Psylidae) on the leaves, young stems and even on inflorescence of this highly prized tree, adversely affect the looks and economic value. According Mani (1973), the gall is the product of the interspecific association between a plant and an organism characterized by plant reaction with some abnormal growth in some respect. Very, few studies have been made on different aspects of galls of different species of insects. Gupta (2011) investigated the different enzymes involved in phenol metabolism of gall and normal tissue of insect induced leaf galls of some plant in Rajasthan. Srilakshman et al. (2012) carried morphological studies and physiochemical evaluation in Pongamia pinnae leaf galls.

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Dhiman, S.C. and Kumar, D. (2013) Impact of gall formation on Alstonia scholaris L. (Apocynaceae) tree induced by Pauropsylla tuberculata Crawford (Homoptera-Psyllidae), Proc. of Nat.Sem. on Relevance of Traditional Areas of Biological studies in Modern Context, published by Deptt.of Zool. Janta Vedic College, Baraut, pp- 11-16. Gupta, J. P. (2011) Enzyme involved in phenol metabolism of gall and normal tissues of insect induced leaf galls on economically important plants in Rajasthan, India. Bioscience Discovery, 2 (3), 345-347. Johnson, D. A. (1940) Plant Micro techniques. Mc Graw Hill, New York, pp-523. Mani, M. S. (1973) Plant Galls of India (1st ed.). Mac Millan India, New Delhi, pp-323. Sass, J. E. (1951) Botanical mircotechniques. 2nd ed. The Town State College Iowa, pp-115. Srilakshman, P., Sailja, D. Bhanuteja M., Kumar, D. R, and Madhuri M., (2012) Quantitative estimation of carbohydrates in insect induced and fungal infected leaf galls of pongamia pinnata. Int. J. Plant Animal and Env.Sci.2 (2), 203-205.