TITLE:
Class III Peroxidase Activity in the Scutellum as an Indicator of the Final Germination Phase to the Post-Germination in Maize Embryos of the Conic Complex
AUTHORS:
José Isaac Corona-Carrillo, Dulce Andrea López-Ramirez, Carolina López-Velázquez, Lorena López-Valladolid, David Manuel Díaz-Pontones
KEYWORDS:
Maize, Conic Group, Class III Peroxidase, Scutellum, Germination
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.17 No.8,
August
26,
2026
ABSTRACT: Mexico is the place of origin of maize. Currently, fifty-nine races of maize have been described, classified into seven groups, and for this study, maize grains from the Conical group were used. The main components of the grain are the pericarp, aleurone, starchy endosperm and embryo; the embryo comprises the scutellum and embryonic axis. The scutellum is essential for germination; its metabolism is associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species; thus, it is protected by various antioxidants, including class III peroxidases (POX). Accordingly, the objectives of this research are to demonstrate that POX is a biochemical indicator of germination, and to relate the germination morphometric parameters with POX activity in the scutellum that was subjected to imbibition using phosphate solutions at different concentrations and pH. The results revealed that POX is inducible and is an indicator of the embryo germination/postgermination phase. Morphometric changes during germination and their relationship with POX activity are similar in embryos of the Conic group from different locations and harvest dates; therefore, this parameter can be used as a marker between grains from the same maize group.