The urban environmental factors generate conditions of oxidative stress in plants. Cellular antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid (AA),thiols (Ti), peroxidases (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) are induced to different levels depending on their capacity to tolerate stressing conditions. In the first part of this study we determined the profile of these defenses in leaves of different ages of young plants of C. echinata. The levels of antioxidants were similar in all leaves analyzed, independently of the age. Secondly, we evaluated the same antioxidants and glutathione (GSH) in 130 young plants kept in a greenhouse with constant monitoring of temperature, relative humidity and irradiance during 18 months, in order to establish the seasonal variations occurring in response to climatic factors. During this period, leaf antioxidants were analyzed every three months. In general, AA concentrations and POD activity in C. echinata were higher than the levels reported for other tropical tree species. Seasonal variations were observed. GSH concentration and POD activity were significantly influenced by temperature and SOD by temperature and humidity.
ascorbic acid; Caesalpinia echinata; glutathione; peroxidases; superoxide dismutase; thiols
