• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.17-21
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• 2011

Korean bennudagrass collections showed diverse genetic variations in their morphology, growth habit, and cytological aspects. Chromosome number and nuclear DNA content of the bennudagrasses indicated a ploidy level ranging from triploid (2n=3x) to hexaploid (2n=6x). In this study, we investigated the different responses of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase) and cell membrane stability of those bennudagrass cytotypes to lower temperature and shorter day length, which meets a dormant induction in Korea. All the antioxidant enzymes were found to be higher during dormant stage, while the heme-containing catalase which converts hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) to water and oxygen molecules was activated before dormant initiation in the three cytotypes except for hexaploid bennudagrass. The triploid and tetraploid which exhibited relatively finer leaves and a rapid establishment speed were found to show increased activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase enzyme. The malondialdehyde(MDA) which is a product of lipid peroxidation in the cell membrane damaged by the hydroxyl radical was increased in all cytotypes as temperature declined, and tri- and tetraploids which had more protective antioxidant enzymes demonstrated a significantly lower MDA production. Similarly electrolyte leakage was higher in penta- and hexaploidy, seemingly more damage to cell membrane when low temperature was implemented. Results indicated that antioxidant responses of different cytotypes were genetically specific, which needs to be investigated the relevance with the low temperature tolerance in the bermudagrass further at the molecular level.