The Changes of Cell Inclusions in Flower Buds of Peach Overwintering Dormancy Period

Purpose Our aim was to study the relationship between the changes of cell inclusions and flower buds dormancy during the winter.

Method Dormancy status and the changes of cell inclusions were analyzed and compared in flower buds of Prunus persica L. var. densa Makino cv. Zhonghuashoutao at eight different periods during the winter dormancy.

Results The results indicated that SOD activity gradually increased during the period of endodormancy, and decreased with endodormancy release. POD activity increased at first and then decreased in the stage of endodormancy, and firstly descended and then increased in the progress of endodormancy release. CAT activity gradually decreased and Vc content appeared several large fluctuations in the process of endodormancy maintenance and release. The variation tendency of H₂O₂ content and \rm O_2^\bar \cdot production rate were firstly up and then down in the stage of endodormancy, and kept at a relatively stable state during the endodormancy release. The content of soluble protein was firstly down and then up, and that of total amino acids was firstly up and then down during the period of endodormancy. However, soluble protein content gradually reduced and total amino acid content gradually rose in the process of endodormancy release. The contents of soluble sugar and proline showed an upward trend during the winter dormancy on the whole.

Conclusion The results showed the contents of cell inclusions (antioxidant metabolism substances, soluble sugar, and proline, and other substances) in flower buds of ‘Zhonghuashoutao’peach changed after low temperature reaction. It may have a certain effect on the maintenance and release of endodormancy.