The influence of soaking injury of seeds on the activity of cytoplasmic N AD+-dependent dehydrogenases in the cotyledons of Pisum sativum L. and Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Abstract

In soaking injury of seeds of Pisum sativum and Phaseolus vulgaris, submerged for 24 hours in aerated or nitrogenated water, distinct changes in NAD+ -dependent aerobic (MDH) and anaerobic (ADH and LDH) dehydrogenases occurred. MDH activity decreased slightly, and the activity of both anaerobic dehydrogenases, especially that of LDH, increased. In both species the increase of LDH was relatively many times higher than of ADH activity. This suggested the use of LDH as an indicator of flooding intolerance and soaking injury of seeds, parallely to ADH in roots.