The Effect of Light on the Growth of Pea Plants and the Subsequent Influence in Shikimate Oxidoreductase (EC 1.1.1.25) Activity

Summary Pea plants were cultured in white light, red and far red light, and in the dark during a period of three weeks. At several states of development we investigated the activity of the enzyme shikimate oxidoreductase, the amount of fresh and dry matter, and the contents of protein in stem, leaves, cotyledons, and roots. The enzyme activity was found to be distributed organ-specifically and uninfluenced by the phytochrome system, but it was significantly depressed in plants grown in the dark compared to plants grown in white light. Enzyme activity occurred also in non photosynthetic plants. Regarding the different light conditions the activity of shikimate oxidoreductase was found to cor…