Water Stress Effects on Membrane Damage and Activities of Catalase, Peroxidase and Superoxide Dismutase Enzymes in Black Pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in black pepper to investigate the effect of water stress on membrane damage, relative water content and the activities of catalase , peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and polyphenol oxidase enzymes . Water stress was imposed by withholding irrigation and the treatment continued till plants started showing wilting symptoms. Membrane damage increased and relative water content decreased with stress intensity . Catalase and superoxide dismutase showed decreased activity under stress while peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase showed increased activity. The results suggest the possibility of utilizing some of these parameters as a measure of water stress tolerance.