Role of cell wall-degrading enzymes in pod-shattering process of soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill

Specific activity of two hydrolytic (cellulase and polygalactouranase) and two oxidoreductase (peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase) enzymes was assayed in the shattering and non-shattering zones of pod shell of shattering-resistant and susceptible variety of soybean. The continuous increase of cellulase activity at the shattering zone of susceptible variety indicates the involvement and role of this enzyme in the pod-shattering process. The shift in the activity from the non-shattering zone to the shattering zone in susceptible variety and vice versa in resistant variety, was also observed. Polygalactouranase adheres to its softening properties, which is evident from the higher activity at the shattering zone of the resistant variety than the susceptible variety, protecting it from shattering. The two oxidoreductases did not show any particular trend of activity during the different pod-developmental stages in soybean.