The influence of low-temperature on the photochemical activity of chloroplasts and activity of antioxidant enzymes in maize leaves
Abstract
Effects of low temperature on activities of photosystems 1 and 2 and antioxidant enzymes in leaves of maize inbred and hybrid genotypes were studied. Marked decrease of PS 2 activity due to chill was observed in majority of genotypes/generations.
The GR, APX and SOD activities highly increased, whereas activity of CAT showed lesser changes depending on the genotype/generation. Higher sensitivity of line 2013 to stress was transmitted to next generations when this line was used as the maternal parent.
The intraspecific variability in photosynthetic and antioxidant parameters was caused mostly by dominance, but level of expression of this effect often changed after stress and was probably cause of increase in positive F1 heterosis. Other genetic effects (additivity, additive or dominant maternal effect) were also found to contribute to intraspecific variability in parameters.
The dominant maternal effects possibly played important role in maintaining positive heterosis in F2 generation.