Effect of acidity and alkalinity of root medium on activity of antioxidant protection components of Triticum aestivum L. and Secale cereale L

A common consequence of agrogenic and technogenic activities is a change in the response of the soil environment. However, information about oxidative stress caused by acidity or the alkalinity of the root medium is clearly not sufficient. We traced dynamics of catalase activity and content of reconstituted ascorbate in the leaves of Triticum aestivum L. and Secale cereale L. in the initial stage acid (at pH = 3) and alkaline stress (at pH = 10). Apparently, increased activity of antioxidant enzymes and heightened reconstituted ascorbate content in studied plants are directed to eliminate excessive reactive oxygen species.