Biochemical changes in primary wheat leaves during growth and senescence

Abstract

Changes in the different forms of the total activity of peroxidases (soluble, ionically and covalently bound), in the soluble isoperoxidase composition, and in the content of protein and chlorophyll during growth and senescence of the intact primary leaves of spring wheat were studied. The forms of peroxidases are in inverse relationship to the growth and increase during development and senescence, especially towards the end of senescence. The activity of peroxidases does not follow the physiological age of wheat leaves during the whole period of vegetation unlike the contents of protein and chlorophyll. The intensity of anodic and cathodic peroxidase isoenzyme bands 1 and 5 increases during senescence, but anodic bands number 2 and 4, cathodic bands 2 and 3 decrease. Changes in the activity of peroxidases and in the content of protein and chlorophyll as indicators of senescence are discussed.