Investigation on phospheonol pyruvate carboxylase and proline in damaged and indamaged needles of Picea Abies and Abies Alba

The extent of forest damage is rapidly characterized by visible creteria such as loss and yellowing of leaves and needles. Additionally damage to Norway spruce (Picea abies) and silver fir (Abies alba) can be diagnosed by biochemical criteria The results in the present study performed in 1993 and 1994 on six Norway Spruces of each of the eleven open air stands in south-western Germany indicate that the activity of phorphenol pyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) correlates with the extent of damage and of the loss of needles, respectively. Needles of severely damge trees had higher levels of PEPC than needles of healthy trees. There was also a positive correlation between the activity of PEPC and the level of priline in both years of investigation. Thereford, PEPC activity and proline content can be suitable biochemical indicators of damage in spruce needles.