Biochemical profiling of plant defense mechanisms against Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) infestation in selected host species

In response to herbivory damage, plants rapidly build up defensive proteins, oxidative burst, and secondary metabolites. Examining host plant resistance and its biochemical pathway helps us to understand the factors that impact the relationship between phytophagous insects and their host plants. To classify resistance mechanisms to Spodoptera frugiperda, nutritional components such as moisture content (%), protein content (%), phenols (mg GAE/g), and carbohydrates (mg/100 mg) and biochemical characteristics viz., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (PO) in the leaf (healthy and infested) samples of Maize (P 3369), Cabbage (Fire ball 175), Rice (IET 4786), Ginger (Gorubathan) and Brinjal (Makra) were assessed. The findings disclosed that the pest attack altered each host plant's oxidative condition. In Ginger, there was a significant increase in carbohydrates and activities of PO and SOD. In Cabbage, phenols, carbohydrates, and PO activity increased significantly whereas SOD activity decreased compared to healthy plants. The Protein, carbohydrates, and PO activity increased significantly in maize, whereas the brinjal crop showed an increase in protein, carbohydrates, and the activities of both SOD and CAT enzymes. In case of rice, phenols, carbohydrates, and the activities of PO and CAT showed a significant increase post FAW infestation.