Changes in the Activity of Catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) in Relation to the Dormancy of Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) Buds

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Abstract
Catalase activity in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) buds cv. ''Perlette'' increased to a maximum in October and thereafter decreased within 3 months to less than half its maximal rate. The decrease in catalase activity coincided with the decline in temperature during winter. The rate of sprouting of buds forced at 23.degree. C was negatively related to the activity of catalase. Artificial chilling of grapevine canes at 5.degree. C resulted in a 25% decrease of catalase activity in the buds after 3 days and 31% after 17 days. The activity of catalase increased to the control level only 96 hours after removing canes from 5.degree. C to room temperature. Efficient bud-dormancy breaking agents, such as thiourea and cyanamide decreased catalase activity to 64 and 50% of the controls respectively, while the activity of peroxidase remained the same under those conditions. A less efficient dormancy breaking agent dinitro-ortho-cresol, did not decrease catalase activity.