CATALASE-CHLOROPHYLL RELATIONSHIP IN BARLEY SEEDLINGS

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Abstract
Catalase activity was higher in etiolated than in green barley seedlings. When etiolated seedlings were illuminated their catalase activity decreased rapidly; when the plants were transferred from light to dark, their catalase activity increased. Etiolated seedlings exposed to light at 1[degree]C, so that chlorophyll did not accumulate lost little of their catalase activity. Early stages of Mg deficiency were accompanied by an increase in catalase activity. The catalase of etiolated seedlings appeared to be qualitatively different from that in the green seedlings. Apparently there is a dynamic equilibrium between the porphyrin-proteins in the plastids. When rapid chlorophyll synthesis takes place, catalase activity decreases; when chlorophyll synthesis is blocked, catalase activity increases if it is at a low level, or it does not decrease if it is at a high level.