Distribution of Defense - Related Enzymatic Activities in the Quiescent of

chitobiase and B-IVLacetylhexosaminidase in whole seeds and their dissected organs (cotyledens, axis and seed coat). Activities of these enzymes were cempared in seeds of two cilltiyars phenotypically distinguishable by soft white (cy. Surattowonder) and hard brown (cv. Maisugata) seed coats. In beth cuhiyars, chiti"ase actiyity was found high in all organs, chitobiase in the seed coat, and PVVLacetylhexosaminidase mainly in the axis. In terms of specific actiyity, alt three enzymes were extraerdinarily higher in extracts of seed coat than the others, speeially referring to the cultivar Surattowonder. Although the cuitiyars showed in general similar distribution pHtterns ef activities aunong their seed organs, the discrepancies found betwee" them seem to be expressing intrinsic attribwtes of their seed coats. The relationship between the twe cultiyars, the enzyme aetivities meftsured and defense mechanisms are discussed.