Lipase Activity during Endodormancy in Leaf Buds of Apple

Abstract

Lipase activity was studied during endodormancy in low-chilling-requiring `Anna' and high-chilling-requiring `Northern Spy' apples (Malus domestica Borkh.). Lipase activity greatly increased in bud axes when the chilling requirement of buds was almost satisfied regardless of the absolute chilling needed. Lipase activity greatly increased in `Anna' after 400 chill units (CU) and in `Northern Spy' after 2600 CU. This corresponded with an increase in budbreak at 22 to 24C. The increase in lipase activity also coincided with the release of water in buds from the bound to the free form. We propose that lipase(s) activity is an integral part of breaking dormancy and that lipase participates in causing changes in membrane lipid composition that coincides with releasing water into the free form.