Peroxidase activity as a possible test for distinguishing s-plasm from n-plasm in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

Summary The O-type lines (N-plasm) of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) proved to have a consistently lower peroxidase activity (49.2–62.7%) than their male sterile (MS) equivalents (S-plasm).Similar differences in peroxidase activity (45.4–56.3%) were found when O-type lines were compared with unrelated MS lines. They were also observed in different parts of the plant (cotyledons, hypocotyl + radicle, true leaves) and were reproducible.The fertile lines could be grouped by their level of peroxidase activity in categories of either S-plasm or N-plasm.The peroxidase activity test could be used for selection of N-plasm lines from fertile sugar beet populations and for selection of MS and O-type lines of higher stability.