Studies on cell wall loosening enzymes in hormone treated internodes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Merremia emarginata</Emphasis>

The cell wall loosening enzymes viz. glycosidases, polygalacturonase and xylanase were analyzed in cytoplasmic and wall bound fractions extracted from control and hormone (GA₃ NAA, PAA) treated internodes, as they are known to play a key role in cell wall metabolism. Among the glycosidases, wall bound β-glucosidase and α-galactosidase activities were significantly correlated with age of control internodes. Cytoplasmic α-galactosidase showed significant correlation in hormone treated internodes. Maximum correlation was observed in GA₃, followed by PAA and NAA. Wall bound xylanase activity was well correlated with length only in NAA treated internodes and less after GA₃ treatment while cytoplasmic xylanase showed correlation with intrnode length only in control and after NAA treatment. Cytoplasmic polygalacturonase showed correlation with internode length only after GA₃ treatment while wall bound polygalacturonase showed correlation with internode length after NAA treatment. The possible role of these enzymes in internode development is discussed.