Peroxidase activity in relation to anthocyanin and chlorophyll content in juvenile and adult leaves of "mini-star" Gazania splendens

Abstract

Gazania splendens is all an ornamental and decorative plant which is culltivated in parks and gardens and shows distinct juvenile and adult leaves in transition from the vegetative phase to the reproductive Phase. There is no information in current literature that Gazania shows heterophylly. The objective of the Present study was to assess the physiological parameters such as the changes of peroxidase activity (POD), anthocyanin and chlorophyll content in juvenile and adult leaves. It was found that POD activity and chlorophyll level increased in the juvenile leaves compared to the adult ones in which anthocyanin content decreased. These results indicate that there is ill inverse correlation between the amount of anthocyanin and chlorophyll in the juvenile and adult leaf tissues, and increasing POD activity may limit anthocyanin content in the adult leaves.