Abstract
The present study investigated the effects of triacontanol (TRIA) on plant growth and peroxisomal enzyme activities in radish seedlings. The optimum concentration of TRIA with respect to radish seedling bioassay was decided to 1.0mg $1^{-1}$. In comparison to untreated controls (including Tween 20 treatment), 1.0mg $1^{-1}$ TRIA treatment caused an increase in seed germination rate and root growth, but no stimulation in hypocotyl growth. Chlorophyll accumulation in cotyledon during carly development stage increased rapidly, and degradation of chlorophyll in later stage due to the cotyledon senesence was noticeably retarded. Increase of soluble protein content in cotyledon at early period of development was observed. Isocitrate lyase and catalase activity was not significantly different in both the treated and the untreated plants. But, glycolate oxidase activity was inhibited by TRIA down to 20% against controls. Also, the increase of the activity of peroxidase, a leaf-senescence marker enzyme, was continuously retarded over control for 8 days of development. Based on above results, TRIA was found to be active in both the growth and the peroxisomal enzyme activities of radish seedlings.