The Effect of Benzyladenine on Changes in Nuclease and Protease Activities in Intact Bean Leaves during Ageing

Primary leaves of intact bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were treated with benzyladenine (BA) at different stages during growth. Changes in DNase, RNase, and proteas activities in the leaves were followed. Unlike the case of various excised tissues, cytokinin raised the activities of these hydrolases in intact bean leaves. Because BA elevated the levels of DNA, RNA, and protein in intact leaves, it may stimulate both synthesis and decomposition of these cellular constituents. The hydrolase activities showed differential responses to BA according to the age at which the leaf received the hormone treatment.