Seedling physiological characteristics of genetically modified maize variety with dwarf mosaic virus resistant genes and its parent

In order to verify the physiological characteristics of genetically modified maize, this paper studied the germination ability, chlorophyll content and activities of amylase, protease, peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) of genetically modified maize with dwarf mosaic virus resistance genes and its parent. The paper also analyzed zymograms of three protective enzymes. Germination abilities of genetically modified maize and its parent were not significantly different. Chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-a+b contents were significantly higher in the modified maize than in the parent maize. Amylase and protease activities of genetically modified maize were significantly higher than those of the parent. POD, CAT and SOD enzyme activities of the germs of genetically modified maize and the parent were not significantly different. Three protective enzymes activities of the first true leaf of genetically modified maize were significantly higher than those of the parents. Three isozymes of POD (POD-1, POD-3 and POD-4) were detected both in the germs of genetically modified maize and the parent. Four isozymes of POD (POD-1, POD-2, POD-3 and POD-4) were detected in the first true leaf of the parent, and five isozymes of POD (POD-1, POD-2, POD-3, POD-4 and POD-5) in the first true leaf of genetically modified maize. However, four CAT isozymes (CAT-1, CAT-2, CAT-3 and CAT-4) exited in the germs and the first true leaf of both the genetically modified maize and the parents. Isozymes of SOD in germs of genetically modified maize and the parents had two bands consisting of SOD-1 and SOD-2. However, seven bands (SOD-1, SOD-2, SOD-3, SOD-4, SOD-5, SOD-6, and SOD-7) were noted in the first true leaf both of the genetically modified maize and the parents. The results showed that physiological indexes of genetically modified maize and the parent were different. Three protective enzymes activities in the first true leaf of genetically modified maize were significantly higher than those of the parent.