Investigation on qualitative and quantitative changes of peroxidase isozyme in maple (Acer velutinum) at different altitudes of Mazandaran forests

Peroxidase enzyme has considered by researchers as an indicator of physiological changes in plants. The main purpose of this study was investigation of qualitative and quantitative changes of peroxidase isozymes of maple in Hezarjarib forest in Mazandaran province، Iran. At middle of autumn، 30 maple trees were selected in three altitude ranges (less than 700، between 800 to 1000، more than 1500 meters above sea level). Samples were taken from trees trunk bark. After enzyme extraction from the samples، quantitative studies were performed by spectrophotometer and qualitative studies were done using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Based on peroxidase activity on the bark of the maple trees، significant differences were observed between the sites in low-، mid- and high-lands. Accordingly، the three altitudinal sites in terms of quantitative enzyme activities were largely segregated from each other. Qualitative assays of peroxidase activity showed that the enzyme was efficient for studying genetic variation within and between maple habitats. Furthermore، the results indicated that frequency of emergence of cathodic bands in high-land and mid-land forests were more than that in low-land. This is probably related to the spring frost that can be attributed to the higher altitude of 800 meters.