Ascorbic Acid Oxidase Activity in Apple Buds: Relation to Thidiazuron-induced Lateral Budbreak

Abstract

The activity of ascorbic acid oxidase (AAO) was studied in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) buds during dormancy and thidiazuron-induced budbreak. In dormant buds, activity of AAO was low compared with buds that were treated with thidiazuron and had resumed growth. An increase in AAO activity began at the time of metabolic transition from dormancy to budbreak. The highest level of activity was reached 10 days after thidiazuron induction during the expansion growth phase. In vitro AAO activity of apple bud extract was increased by addition of Cu (CuSO) and inhibited by Cu-chelating agents, diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), sodium azide (NaN), and 8-hydroxyquinoiine (8-OH-Q). In vivo treatment of apple buds with Cu-chelating agents inhibited AAO activity and bud growth but not budbreak. Chemical name used: N- phenyl -N' -1,2,3-thidiazol-5-ylurea (thidiazuron).