The Effect of Certain Chemicals on the Catalase Activity in Plants

Abstract

The catalase activity of plant tissues fluctuates with changes in their metabolic activity or physiological condition. The measurement of these fluctuations has been used as a means of ascertaining the response of plants to various treatments. Heinicke (1928) states that despite the fact that nothing definite is known as to the metabolic role of catalase, the measurement of its activity is a reliable and sensitive index to changes occurring in the internal condition of plants.The studies reported in this paper were made for the purpose of determining the effects of several chemicals of known herbicidal value, and some related compounds, on the catalase activity of living plants and plant-tissue preparations. The information is of interest, as there is little mention in the literature concerning the effect of the chemicals studied on catalase activity. Some improvements in the technique of making catalase determinations are also described. EXPERIMENTALMaterials. As the investigation was conducted during the winter months, it was necessary to work with a species of plant adapted to indoor cultivation. Cabbage was used, as it grows well in the greenhouse and has leaves of such size that sampling causes a minimum of shock and injury to the plant. The plants, Copenhagen Market variety, were grown in six-inch pots from one well-mixed lot of seed and were selected for uniformity in age, size, and apparent vigor.Watering was controlled by giving each plant 150 cc. of tap water at about the same time each day. Plants selected and handled as described were found to have approximately the same initial catalase activity.Cabbage leaf tissue is fairly homogeneous as to catalase activity. Samples collected 24 hours apart from 25 untreated plants over a period of several weeks showed a maximum difference in catalase activity of five per cent.Chemicals. The chemicals used were in aqueous solutions of 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 molar concentration. The ammonium sulfocyanate, ethylene oxide, diethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and sodium chlorate were of technical grade, while the thiourea and sodium arsenite were of CiP, quality. Some

The Combined Action of 3‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole and Ammonium Thiocyanate on Phosphatase Activity in Cotton Thistle (Onopordum Acanthium L.)

“…Other effects of ammonium thiocyanate relevant to its action in plants are its ability to bind metals as complexes (Bailar & Busch, 1956) and to decrease catalase activity (Landon, 1934). Similar effects have also been observed for amitrole-namely, the binding of metals as chelates (Menoret & Tracez, 1957) and decrease in catalase activity (Pyfrom, Appleman & Heim, 1957).…”

The Metabolism of 3‐Amino‐l,2,4‐Triazole by Canada Thistle and Field Bindweed and the Possible Relation to its Herbicidal Action

“…Catalase activity was determined by the manometric method described by Landon (8). Briefly, plants were sampled by taking leaves of the same age and, after removing the midrib and large veins, comminuting known weights with equal amounts of precipitated chalk, a small amount of sand and a little distilled water in a mortar.…”

15. H. Augsten: Der Einfluß der Gibberellinsäure auf die Entwicklung und den Stoffwechsel vonFicaria vernaHuds

“…Bei Kartoffelknollen z. B. war die Katalaseaktivität nach Behandlung mit ruhebrechend wirkenden Che mikalien meistens gesteigert (DENNY, MILLER und GUTHRIE 1930, GUTHRIK 1931, MILLER 1933, und Untersuchungen von LANDON (1934)…”