LIPID-PEROXIDATION AND ANTIOXIDATIVE ENZYMES IN SENESCING TOBACCO-LEAVES DURING POST-FLOODING

Role of lipid peroxidation and antioxidative enzymes (superoxide dismu tase and catalase) in leaf senescence of tobacco plants during the rec overy phase after 2 days of flooding was investigated. The senescence of leaves was followed by measuring the decrease in level of chlorophy ll. An enhancement in leaf senescence was observed in flooded plants d uring the recovery phase. Increase in lipid peroxidation is closely co rrelated with senescence in leaves of flooded plants during recovery p hase. Catalase and superoxide dismutase activities decreased in leaves of flooded plants during early and later phase of post-flooding, resp ectively. It seems that post-flooding-induce enhancement of leaf senes cence is associated with an increased lipid peroxidation coupled with reduced catalase and superoxide dismutase activities.