EFFECT OF SATUREJA HORTENSIS ESSENTIAL OILS TREATMENTS ON CATALASE AND PEROXIDASE ACTIVITY IN POTATO VIRUS S INFECTED POTATO PLANTS UNDER DROUGHT CONDITIONS (PRELIMINARY STUDIES)

Abstract

Responses of Satureja hortensis essential oils and H₂O₂  treatments were estimated in plants testing positive being infected with Potato Virus  S (PVS), under drought conditions. Infected and uninfected microplants transferred to a green-house were injected with a Satureja hortensis essential oils suspension and sprayed twice a week with H₂O₂. The presence of virus decreased significantly catalase activity (CAT). Under drought stress, peroxidase (POX) activity increased significantly in infected plants, but the treatments only enhanced POX activity in uninfected plants compared to the CAT activity in the same experimental condition. An interesting role of Satureja hortensis essential oils and H₂O₂ in lessening the potato PVS infected microplants behavior is suggested.