Antioxidant systems in sunflower as affected by oxalic acid

Changes in antioxidant systems in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) inbred lines were studied in relation to different concentrations (0, 2, 3 and 4 mM) of oxalic acid. A great variability of the total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was observed in different genotypes after application of oxalic acid. Genotypes showing no change in SOD activity, as well as those with decreased and increased activities, have been found. The highest guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) activity was recorded in the leaves of Ha-26A genotype where the activity of SOD was low. In genotypes with increased GPX activity the malonyldialdehyde content was low. The increase in reduced glutathione content occurred in almost all of the genotypes studied with the increase in oxalate concentration. Some genotypes such as PR-ST-3B, showed distinctive and combined activity of several antioxidant systems. Also, obtained results for the content of total phenols support the idea of using soluble phenols as molecular markers and confirm the hypothesis of the defensive role of these compounds in plants.