Variability of peroxidase activity and heavy metal content in the needles of Austrian pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) half-sib lines

Abstract

Enzyme activity of peroxidases of total proteins and heavy metal contents were studied in the needles of eight different half-sib lines of Austrian pine. The samples were taken from a fourteen-year-old seedling seed orchard on Jelova Gora (near Uzice). The results of this study show the pronounced variability of the concentration of total proteins, heavy metal concentration and enzyme activity of peroxidases in the study Austrian pine half-sib lines. This infers that proteins have different levels of expression in individual Austrian pine lines. Also the enzyme of peroxidases shows different activity depending on the genetic constitution of the trees of the analysed half-sib lines, because based on the seed orchard size and the planting pattern, it can be assumed that the effect of external factors is reduced to a minimum. The peroxidases present as soluble in the apoplast or with covalent bond to cell wall, have an important role in lignification, suberisation, healing of injuries, defence against pathogens and atmospheric pollutants.