Response of winter wheat to cold: Production of phenolic compounds and L-phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity

The formation of soluble and polymeric (lignin) phenolic compounds, activity of L-phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.5), and content of free L-phenylalanine during cold hardening of winter wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L.) were studied. Cold treatment increased accumulation of soluble phenolic compounds in leaves while not affecting the content of lignin. The opposite was observed in tillering nodes. The activity of PAL was lower than in control plants in both tissues, and the content of free L-phenylalanine in tissues increased.