Seasonal changes of 2-oxo-acid free amino acid contents in bud, leaves andinflorescences of morus plant

ABSTRACT

The seasonal changes of 2-oxo -acid and the free amino acid contents in apical and axillary buds, leaves and inflorescences of Morns were determined. Higher levels of 2-oxo- acids were observed in the dormant apical and axillary buds. These levels were then decreased progressively reaching minimum amounts in swollen buds followed by progressive increases in the grown buds attaining their maximum levels with the onset of bud dormancy. Moreover, the values of 2-oxo-acids increased at the early growth stages of leaves and inflorescences, followed by graduall decreases, attaining their minimum levels in the abscised leaves and inflorescences, Amino acids determined in the Morns buds showed their higher levels prior to the bud swelling and the active shoot growth. Young leaves and inflorescences contained relative high contents of free amino acids, while these contents decreased gradually during abscission of leaves and male inflorescences and ripening of fruits