Superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities in drought sensitive and resistant barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) varieties

The effects of water deficit on relative water content (RWC), on the activity superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POX) from leaves of two drought-resistant barley strains (Hordeum vulgare L.) varieties (TOKAK-157/37 and 56000/MISC-233) and one sensitive (ERGINEL-90) were studied. In 21 day old seedlings, drought stress was initiated by withholding water and lasted for 12 days. Activity of SOD increased by the effect of drought treatments in the leaves of drought-resistant varieties TOKAK-157/37 and 56000/MISC-233 as compared to sensitive variety ERGINEL-90. The drought treatment resulted in a 418 % and 59 % increase in SOD activity in resistant varieties at the end of the 12^th day of experimental period. However, an increase in activity of SOD was not accompanied by an increase in activity of POX in drought-resistant TOKAK-157/37 and 56000/MISC-233 except on the 6^th day of drought treatment in 56000/MISC-233. In drought-sensitive variety, ERGINEL-90, POX activity did not change throughout drought period.