Polyphenol-Oxidase Activity During Rooting in Cuttings of Three Different Poplar Species

Authors: Tohit GÜNEŞ

Abstract: Polyphenol-oxidase (PPO: C.1.10.3.1) activity was investigated during rooting in cuttings of Populus alba L., Populus nigra L. and Populus tremula L. (Salicaceae), and the enzyme activities and rooting abilities were compared. PPO activity started to increase in the early stages of primordium formation and peaked before root emergence in the cuttings of P. alba and P. nigra, whereas the enzyme activity reached its highest level during primordium formation and then decreased in the unrooted cuttings of P. tremula. No apparent correlation was found between the activity of PPO from the basal parts of the cuttings from each species and the ability of the cuttings to form roots.

Keywords: Populus, polyphenol oxidase, rooting, cutting.