Abstract
Changes in metabolites were studied in healthy and malformed panicles and shoots bearing malformed panicles (SBMP) as well as shoots bearing healthy panicles (SBHP) of Dusehri mango at four developmental stages: (I) fully swollen buds, (II) bud inception, (III) fully grown panicles prior to full bloom, and (IV) fully grown panicles at full bloom for two consecutive years. The malformed panicles and SBMP exhibited lower levels of carbohydrates than healthy panicles and SBHP. The C/N ratio was lower in malformed panicles and SBMP than in healthy ones at all developmental stages except stage I in shoots where the ratio was higher. The non-reducing sugars were higher in malformed panicles in stages II and IV and SBMP at all four stages than in healthy panicles and SBHP. The malformed panicles and SBMP exhibited significantly higher levels of starch and total phenolics than healthy panicles and SBHP at all stages. In general, the contents of orthodihydroxy phenolics, DNA, RNA, and free amino acids were lower in malformed panicles and SBMP than in healthy organs at all stages. Malformed panicles had a lower level of arginine and higher levels of valine, tryptophan, and aspartic acid than healthy ones at all the developmental stages. The amounts of cysteine and methionine were higher in SBHP compared with SBMP at stages III and IV where these were in traces. Other amino acid concentrations changed depending upon the stage of development.
