Study on antioxidant enzymes in Allium cepa L. and Allium fistulosum L

Abstract

Activities of superoxide-dismutase (SOD), catalase (C-ase), peroxidase (P-ase) and glutathione-peroxidase (GP-ase) were investigated in leaves, stalks and roots of Allium cepa L., Allium fistulosum L. planted in the spring and Allium fistulosum L. planted in the autumn. Allium fistulosum L. spring, exhibited high SOD, C-ase and GP-ase activities in all investigated plant organs. Allium cepa L. had high SOD activity in leaves and high P-ase activity in all investigated organs, although Allium fistulosum L. had poor activities of investigated antioxidant enzymes. The results obtained suggested that Allium fistulosum L. spring, with high activities of antioxidant enzymes had high resistance to oxidative stress and therefore could be used in breeding oxygen stress resistant allium hybrids.