Proteins, Nucleic Acids and Some Enzyme Activities in Maize Plants as Affected by Presowing Seed Treatment with Steroids

The effect of pre-sowing seed treatment with some steroid hormones (estrone, testosterone, pregnenolone and hydrocortisone) and cholesterol was studied on protein, DNA and RNA contents, peroxidase, catalase and acid and alkaline phosphatase activities in the leaves of Zea mays L. cv. Ganga-5. Lower concentrations (10⁻² and 10⁻⁶ M) were found to be more effective than the higher one (10⁻⁴ M). Estrone at 10⁻⁸ M concentration caused maximum enhancement in protein and nucleic acid contents. Peroxidase and catalase activities were influenced most by 10⁻² M pregnenolone acetate and 1G⁻⁶ M testosterone respectively, while acid and alkaline phosphatase activities were found to be enhanced maximum by 10⁻⁸ M testosterone and 10⁻⁶ M pregnenolone acetate.