Biological changes and active oxygen-scavenging enzymes activities in apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) flower buds during dormancy transitions.

摘要

The adaptability of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) to specific environments is strongly influenced by the overcoming of flower bud dormancy. In order to establish the involvement of the antioxidant enzymes during the dormancy process, the relationship between flower bud biochemical status and biological response to dormancy overcoming was investigated. The changes in activity of the oxygen-scavenging enzymes catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) were analyzed during the flower bud dormancy process in several cultivars of different geographical origin. Breaking of endodormancy was quantified by determining the chilling required for the bud-burst. The cultivars were classified into three types based on their Chilling Requirement (low, medium and high). During the dormancy period, biochemical analysis revealed changes in the activities of CAT, APX and GPX. The CAT and the non-specific peroxidase GPX were the most involved enzymes at the release of endodormancy in cultivars with low and medium Chilling Requirements.