Activity and isoenzyme composition of peroxidase and esterase in fertile and male-sterile lines of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

A comparative study of the isoenzyme patterns of esterase and peroxidase and overall peroxidase activity in stamens of male-sterile (MS) lines of Pearson ms-35 and P ms-35aa and of the respective male-fertile (MF) tomato plants have been conducted. The study has been made at two stages of stamens development — tetrad and pollen. Higher activities of the esterase isoenzymes in the MF stamens than that of MS in both ontogeny stages have been found. The slow moving esterase isoenzymes both of the MF and the MS stamens are the major isoenzymes in the early stage and are connected with tapetum development while the fast moving esterase isoenzymes are connected with pollen formation in the later ontogeny stage. Overall peroxidase levels in the MS stamens were higher than those of MF. The peroxidase patterns of the MS lines are also characterized by the greater number of isoenzymes and also the presence of specific isoenzymes, the contrast between the MF and the MS stamens being more strongly expressed at the later stage of development. A strong similitude between esterase and peroxidase patterns behaviour in both MS lines has been found.