No abstract

The aim of the present work was to study, within the framework of phenological modifications, the behavior of Prosopis chilensis buds during dormancy, and its relation to: a) peroxidase activity variations and ascorbic acid content as morphogenesis indicators; b) seasonal variations of abscisic acid. Both low temperature and photoperiod were related to dormancy of buds, with leaf fall at the end of this period. Evidence indicates that peroxidase activity had an important rise during winter and it was maintained for about 20 days. This finding suggests that during dormancy, early metabolic changes occur, probably related to leaf primordia differentiation. After that, ascorbic acid increased as meristem buds changed from a vegetative to a reproductive form. At the beginning of the winter dormancy, abscisic acid had relatively low values, but when this stage was over, an important rise was observed that could be related to leaf fall. Abscisic acid would not play an important role during dormancy of Prosopis chilensis buds, but it might act as an outbreak promoter, preceding it.