Relationship between antioxidant enzymes and self- and cross-pollination in the styles of two Petunia hybrida cultivars

The possible relation between self-incompatibility (SI) and the stress response using pistils after self- pollination was examined in two cultivars of Petunia hybrida. Hydrogen peroxide content, enzyme activities of stress enzymes were compared between self- and cross-pollinated styles of Bravo cool water mix (self-compatible) and Bravo purple star cultivar (self-incompatible) of Petunia hybrida. H₂O₂ content was significantly higher in self-pollinated styles of both cultivars. The activity of peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was promoted by self-pollination in the styles of Bravo purple star cultivar. The activity of catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were lower in self-pollinated styles in Bravo purple star cultivar. There were no differences between those pollinated styles of Bravo cool water mix cultivar and only the activity of SOD were higher in self-pollinated in this cultivar. Based on our results, it seems that there is a correlation between incompatible pollination and some stress enzymes activity in the style of Petunia hybrida.