Lipoxygenase activity in fresh, stored, and germinating pearl millet seeds resistant and susceptible to downy mildew disease

Lipoxygenase activity was studied in fresh, stored, and germinating pearl millet seeds of downy mildew resistant and susceptible genotypes. In both fresh and stored seeds, the enzyme activity was greater in resistant genotypes compared with that of the susceptible ones. In seeds stored for a period of 6 months, a significant reduction in the lipoxygenase activity was recorded, the reduction being greater in resistant seeds. Lipoxygenase activity decreased significantly in germinating seedlings of resistant genotypes, whereas it increased significantly in the susceptible seedlings. The high vigour in the resistant seeds of downy mildew resistant genotypes is attributed to their high enzyme activity. Key words: lipoxygenase, pearl millet, downy mildew, resistant, susceptible.