Seasonal variation of antioxidant enzymatic responses in the desiccation-tolerant bryophyte Syntrichia ruralis (Hedw.) Web. & Mohr.

Bryophytes are poikilohydric organisms that can be used as model plants to study desiccation tolerance mechanisms. The main objective of this was examine the activities antioxidant enzymes ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT) and guaiacol (POD) in rehydrated desiccated states Syntrichia ruralis (Hedw.) Web. & Mohr. from two slopes, one North-east (NE) South-west (SW) facing collected different seasons. Our results showed seasonal variation enzymatic APX, CAT POD between slopes both states. mean value all MDA contents (a measure lipid peroxidation) tended higher moss cushions NE compared SW except summer season. values were with Protein content has lower winter Differences mosses growing on may reflect adaptations stress.