Biochemical alterations in bud and root band zone of sugarcane setts due to chilling temperature

The effect of chilling temperatures (0, 5 and 10°C) on the sugarcane bud sprouting were compared with 25°C (normal). At the chilling temperatures, in the buds and the root band zones of the single bud sugarcane sett, the reducing sugars, specific activities of acid invertase (AI), IAA (indole acetic acid) oxidase and ATPase were decreased whereas the sucrose and IAA contents were increased as compared with 25°C. However, there was no change in sucrose content at the chilling temperatures but it markedly decreased at 25°C. Sucrose immobilization caused by the suppression of the acid invertase, hence decreased content of reducing sugars and accumulation of IAA might affected the sprouting at chilling temperatures.