PEROXIDASE-ACTIVITY AS A POSSIBLE TEST FOR DISTINGUISHING S-PLASM FROM N-PLASM IN SUGAR-BEET (BETA-VULGARIS L)

The O-type lines (N-plasm) of sugar beet (B. vulgaris L.) have a consistently lower peroxidase activity (49.2-62.7%) than their male sterile (MS) equivalents (S-plasm). Similar differences in peroxidase activity (45.4-56.3%) were found when O-type lines were compared with unrelated MS lines. They were also observed in different parts of the plant (cotyledons, hypocotyl + radicle, true leaves) and were reproducible. The fertile lines could be grouped by their level of peroxidase a activity in categories of either S-plasm of N-plasm. The peroxidase activity test could be used for selection of N-plasm lines from fertile sugar beet populations and for selection of MS and O-type lines of higher stability.