Ferulic acid mediated changes in oxidative enzymes of maize seedlings: implications in growth

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L. cv. Ganga-5) seedlings were grown in the presence of ferulic acid (0.5 - 3.0 mM) for 8 d. Treatment with ferulic acid considerably decreased shoot and root length, increased the activity of peroxidase, catalase and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) oxidase and decreased the activity of polyphenol oxidase. The increased activity of peroxidase correlated with pronounced increase in content of lignin and phenolic compounds