Changes in isozyme patterns of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase in the leaves of Impatiens flanaganiae in response to Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu deficiencies

The effect of deficiency of four micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu) on iso enzyme patterns of the metal-containing antioxidant enzymes superoxide dism utase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) from the leaves of Impatie ns flanaganiae (I. flanaganiae) grown hydroponically in nutrient deficient solutions was studied. Our results showed no significant changes in CAT in the Cu-, Zn-, and Fe-deficient treatments. However, both Cu- and Zn-deficie nt variants showed a reduction of Mn-containing SOD (26%) which was accompa nied by the simultaneous induction of Cu/Zn SODs. A decrease in activity of three major isoenzymes that account for most of the POD activity were reco rded in Cu- and Zn-deficient treatments. The quantitative differences in PO D, CAT and SOD were most pronounced in Mn-deficient plants where an increas e in activity of isoenzymes was recorded. It appears that nutrient disorder s, especially Mn-deficiency, are stressful for I. flanaganiae resulting in induction of antioxidant enzymes.