MEASUREMENT IN-SITU OF CHITINASE AND BETA-N-ACETYLGLUCOSAMINIDASE ACTIVITIES IN GERMINATING-SEEDS OF PINUS-SYLVESTRIS AND EUCALYPTUS-PILULARIS

beta-N-Acetylglucosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30), exo- and endochitinase (EC 3.2.1.14) activities in individual seeds and in different parts of in dividual young seedlings of Pinus sylvestris L. and Eucalyptus pilular is Sm. were studied in situ, using a novel method with fluorogenic 4-m ethylumbelliferyl substrates. Intact seeds of P. sylvestris had measur able beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and endochitinase activities after p ermeabilization. Production of radicles by P. sylvestris seeds did not increase levels of these enzyme activities over those present at the rupture of the seed coats. Endochitinase activity was greater in the r oots than in the cotyledons and stems. beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase ac tivity did not differ between the component parts of P. sylvestris see dlings. E. pilularis seeds did not have detectable beta-N-acetylglucos aminidase and endochitinase activities until the seed coat ruptured an d then activity was predominantly beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase. Endoch itinase activity increased as the seedlings developed and was greatest in the roots. The roots of E. pilularis also contained the highest le vels of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity. The empty seed coats of both species had high levels of both beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and endochitinase activities. On no occasion was exochitinase activity de tected in either plant species.