Physiological response of Populus nigra 'Italica' to galling aphids feeding

Although gall-inducing aphids, namely Pemphigus bursarius (L.) and P. phenax Börner et Blunck, are widely known as serious pests for their secondary hosts (lettuce and carrot, respectively), the physiological mechanism of their gall induction on Populus L. trees still requires a better understanding. In this study, we compared physiological parameters, i.e. H₂ O₂ , electrolyte leakage (E_L ), MDA, APX and GPOD. Changes in physiological parameters were analysed in foliar tissues with galls and in the gall tissues themselves and compared to leaves without galls. Significantly higher H₂ O₂ levels were observed in P. phenax galls when compared to leaves with galls. In turn, the highest E_L of cells and MDA content was in P. bursarius galls. Other samples had lower or similar oxidative stress marker levels to leaves without galls. APX and GPOD had similar activity profiles in galls of both aphid species. Their activity decreased significantly in gall tissues, where it was even ten-fold lower than in leaves without galls. Data generated in this study indicate that patterns of the physiological features, e.g. ROS accumulation and cell membrane integrity, of Populus leaves with galls and galls alone depends on the gall-inducing aphid species. Where decreased APX and GPOD activity, especially in gall tissues, indicated a reduction in the antioxidant potential of these neoformed structures.