EFFECT OF BORON, COPPER, MANGANESE, AND ZINC ON THE ENZYME ACTIVITY OF TOMATO AND ALFALFA PLANTS GROWN IN THE GREENHOUSE

Abstract

Catalase, peroxidase, oxidase, and invertase detns. were made on leaves and fruits of tomatoes grown in nutrient solns. containing different amts. of Cu. The same enzymes were detd. for alfalfa plants grown with nutrient solns. containing different amts. of B, Mn, and Zn. The enzyme responses to Cu treatments were not the same in leaves and fruits of tomato. There was considerable uniformity in the enzyme responses for each minor element. This is interpreted as indicating that these enzyme activities are expressions of general metabolic conditions within the plants rather than direct influences of the minor elements. Certain exceptional enzyme responses are considered as possible direct effects of an element on a particular enzyme. In this category is the continued increase of oxidase activity with increasing additions of Cu.