Comparative study of nitrogen and oxygen metabolism enzymes in Yugoslav cultivars of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Abstract

Four Yugoslav cultivars of alfalfa were investigated in order to determine nitrogen fixing (nitrogenase), nitrogen assimilation (nitrate reductase, glutamine synthetase, glutamate dehydrogenase) and antioxidant (Superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase) enzymes activities. The level of lipid peroxidation and protein content were also investigated. On the basis of the results obtained a resistant cultivar with high nitrogen fixing and a cultivar with high nitrogen assimilation abilities were chosen. The cultivar with high nitrogen fixing ability had high activities of nitrogenase, Superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase, and also a low level of lipid peroxidation. The cultivar with high assimilation ability had high activities of nitrate reductase, glutamine synthetase and glutamate dehydrogenase and high soluble protein content. © 1992 Institute of Experimental Botany.