International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 4, Issue 5, May 2014 1 ISSN 2250-3153 www.ijsrp.org Experimental Investigation on Nutritional Variation in Plant Foliage of Rose (Rosa damascene): Effect of Pest Infestation Pushpa Singh * , Manas K Dhal * and S. K. Sagar * * Department of Zoology, Swami Shraddhanand College (University of Delhi), Delhi-110036, India Abstract- The results on the biochemical constituents of rose inflorescence revealed that the levels of lipid, carbohydrate, nitrogen and protein were significantly lower (P<0.05) in infested parts when aphid population were maximum as compared to uninfested ones in most of the cases.The rose plants were mainly infested with two aphid species viz., Macrosiphumrosae (Linnaeus) and Macrosiphumrosaeiformis (Das). The infestation of insect pests caused considerable damage to the individualparts (leaf, stem and inflorescence) of the rose plants and significantly reduced the nutritional constituents at different growth stages. Macrosiphumrosae was found to be the most active pest of rose. These aphids have appeared in the fields especially with the onset of flowering. The loss in biochemical nutritives of plant foliage due to aphid infestation would degrade the quality of the products mainly made from the inflorescence of rose plants. This study reports results obtained from different localities, which may have almost similar ecological and environmental conditions. Index Terms- Aphid infestation, Biochemical analysis, Nutritional constituents, Rose plantations, Traditional herbal plant I. INTRODUCTION he rose plants heve been cultivated for thousands of years in middle east and during the Roman era.The fossils of rose of 35 millions years to oligocene epoch were reported by Cox (1999). The Rosa genus is endemic to temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, including North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, reported by Phillips and Rix (1988).The genus Rosa is comprised of hundreds of species of prickly shrubs which may also have a climbing or trailing habit. The Roses are used for beauty and decoration of garden, extraction of attar for making fragrant mixtures. But main use of roses is in cut flower industry and land scaping where it is mainly use in production as trade, described by Datta (1997). More then 400 volatile biochemical compounds have been identified in the floral scent of various rose cultivers. The damask rose (R. damascena) is the most important species used to produce rose water, other essential oils etc. in the perfume industry, reported by Lavid et al. (2002). Similarly, different rose species are grown for perfume purposes like Rosa damascena, Rosa barboniana etc. The compounds are generally classified into five groups based on their functions: hydrocarbons, alcohols, esters, aromatic esters and others. It has also medicinal value and used mainly for different stomach disorders. This herb is used to stimulate the liver, increase the appetite and improve the blood circulation. The rose hips long valued for food, richest natural source of Vitamin C and are now pressed commercially to give rose hip syrup. Tannin contents of rose hips are mildly diuretic and reduce thirst and alleviate gastric inflammation.The dried hips of the wild rose are especially high in vitamin C, having three times that of citrus fruits, and have long been used to prevent scurvy. Rose hip herbal tea is full of nutrients that we need to maintain optimum health. It strengthens the immune system and can help prevent colds and flu due to high vitamin C content, studied by Ziegler et al.(1986). Rose’s ability to firm boggy or damaged tissues, reduce inflammation and lessen bacterial proliferation while encouraging the growth of healthy tissue makes it ideal in the treatment of many microbial infections, reported by Jacoby and Wokes (1944). The Chinese use the flowers as energy stimulant and blood tonic to relieve stagnant liver energies. They are also used for digestive irregularities or with motherwort for heavy menstruation. Rose petal herbal tea is given for mastitis and breast pain, menstrual problems and to soothe a restless fetus. Medicinally, it is an important nervine used for depression and anxiety.The Damask rose blooms for only a couple of weeks, during which time the petals are collected and steam distilled to produce true Bulgarian rose oil used in about 96% of all women’s perfumes. Rose water can be used as eyewash and as a mouthwash. It can also be used to treat acne and irritated skin. It is good for aging skin. Add the herb to creams, lotions, moisturizers, massage oils, after shaves, salves, balms and antiseptic sprays. Mahmood et al. (1996) and Basim & Basim (2003) reported anti HIV properties of the rose oil and can stop and kill some strains of Xanthomonas. The studies have been conducted simultaneously to breed cultivars with a longer flowering period and improved quality and quantity rose oil. Therefore, there are many challenges and threats to rose plants from the pest and insects. Teulon et al. (1999) reported reduction in the medicinal value of the plant and damage its generations and economic loss to growers due to infestation of insects and by infestations of aphids during springs and summer season. The insect pests come and go, but various aphid species are present on roses from spring through fall, with some species spanning the entire growing period. Alford (1991) reported damage and tender unfolding leaves and buds by the clusters of aphid colonies. Aphid eggs live through the winter in protected nooks and crannies on the plant. In the spring, eggs hatch into females that are capable of reproducing without mating. They give birth to live female aphid T