Biochemical and Morphological Characteristics of Acid-Resistant Regenerants of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

The aim of the paper was to study the metabolite profile and morphological characteristics of sugar beet regenerants exposed to aluminium ions (Al). The regenerants were selected basing on selective media with sublethal acidity (рН 3.5). The thrice-repeated passaging of sugar beet microclones of two genotypes in low рН medium causes certain alterations in the cellular metabolism. The paper demonstrated that peroxidase (POD) and isocitrate lyase (ICL) activity increased in both varieties. At the same time, NADH-dehydrogenase (NADH-DH) activity decreased in hybrid plants. Glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (gl-6-ph-dh) activity increased in mail sterile (MS) hybrid plants, but reduced in Ramonskaya fertile (RF) hybrid plants. Adaptation to reduced рН was accompanied by alterations in the isozyme spectra of POD, 1and 2-esterase, cytochrome с oxidase and malic enzyme (ME). The adaptation process of sugar beet regenerants was also accompanied by an increase in protein synthesis. The level of metabolic response to stress very much depended on the initial genotype of the hybrid. In this experiment, aluminium resistant plants were growing rapidly in selective media. They developed leaves with healthy petioles and blades and had strong root systems.