Serum protein patterns in the healthy and brown bast affected trees of Hevea

Abstract

Serum protein patterns of healthy and brown bast affected Hevea trees of six clones viz, RRIC 7, RRIC 100, RRIC 101, RRIM 600 and PB 86, were investigated. Total protein content in serum decreased noticeably in all six clones when affected by brown bast, the highest reduction being 50perc. in PB 86. Gel electrophoretic separation of serum proteins complemented these findings, with the disappearence of a number of bands and reduced intensity of the remaining bands. Protein content at different heights showed a high degree of reduction extending upwords from the tapping panel. Proteins are indicative of the spread of brown bast to neighbouring tissues at varying degrees although they may not in a noticeable changes in external appearence or in latex yields.