Antioxidative as self-defense during Red Palm Weevil infestation in coconut cultivar “MAWA”

Norhayati Yusuf, . and Shaidatul Liyana Abdul Talib, . and Nurul Fatin Azma Azman, . and Rabiatul Aishah Resep, . and Wahizatul Afzan Azmi, . (2024) Antioxidative as self-defense during Red Palm Weevil infestation in coconut cultivar “MAWA”. Journal of Sustainability Science and Management (Malaysia), 19 (11). pp. 77-93. ISSN 2672-7226

The coconut industry ranks fourth in economic importance but the Red Palm Weevil (RPW) creates a major danger, decreasing coconut production. The “MAWA” cultivar, favoured by farmers faces this challenge. This study investigated the plant’s defence mechanisms during RPW infestation, focusing on enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Infested leaves of “MAWA” showed lower CAT, APX, and gPOD activities in front and middle fronds but higher in end fronds than controls. α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid increased significantly in the front and middle fronds of infested plants, respectively while carotenoids rose in the middle fronds. Infested leaves exhibited lower MDA, H₂O₂, and ion leakage, suggesting enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants’ defensive roles during RPW infestation. MDA, H₂O₂, and ion leakage could be early RPW infestation markers in coconuts. This study sheds light on how “MAWA” cultivars deploy enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defences during RPW attacks, potentially aiding in the early detection of infestations.

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Abstract

The coconut industry ranks fourth in economic importance but the Red Palm Weevil (RPW) creates a major danger, decreasing coconut production. The “MAWA” cultivar, favoured by farmers faces this challenge. This study investigated the plant’s defence mechanisms during RPW infestation, focusing on enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Infested leaves of “MAWA” showed lower CAT, APX, and gPOD activities in front and middle fronds but higher in end fronds than controls. α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid increased significantly in the front and middle fronds of infested plants, respectively while carotenoids rose in the middle fronds. Infested leaves exhibited lower MDA, H₂O₂, and ion leakage, suggesting enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants’ defensive roles during RPW infestation. MDA, H₂O₂, and ion leakage could be early RPW infestation markers in coconuts. This study sheds light on how “MAWA” cultivars deploy enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defences during RPW attacks, potentially aiding in the early detection of infestations.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	coconuts
AGROVOC Term:	cultivar selection
AGROVOC Term:	plant physiology
AGROVOC Term:	ascorbic acid
AGROVOC Term:	carotenoids
AGROVOC Term:	plant defence reactions
AGROVOC Term:	infestation
AGROVOC Term:	biochemical analysis
AGROVOC Term:	biomarkers
AGROVOC Term:	lipid peroxidation
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Depositing User:	Mr. Khoirul Asrimi Md Nor
Date Deposited:	15 Jul 2026 03:01
Last Modified:	16 Jul 2026 14:48
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/4815

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