The present work was undertaken to study the effects of 28-homobrassinolide on growth, zinc metal uptake, antioxidative enzyme [guaiacol peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7), catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2), ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11), superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1)] activities and protein content in 7-d-old seedlings of Brassica juncea L. treated with Zn metal at different concentrations. 28-homobrassinolide at 10-9 M concentration lowered Zn uptake and bioconcentration factor. Different concentrations of Zn-metal treatment alone decreased the enzyme activities and protein concentration of seedlings. However, pre-sowing treatments of 28homobrassinolide lowered the uptake of metal and enhanced the activities of enzymes and protein concentration of seedlings.
antioxidative enzymes; 28-homobrassinolide; brassinosteroids; zinc toxicity
