Changes in Catechol Oxidase and Permeability to Water in Seed Coats of Pisum elatius during Seed Development and Maturation

In the developing seed coat of Pisum elatius, o-dihydroxyphenols are present in appreciable amounts at all stages of development. However, catechol oxidase activity rises sharply during the later stages of development, shows a further abrupt rise during dehydration of the seed coat, and then decreases. It is suggested that a tanning reaction is induced by the contact of enzyme with its substrate while cell membranes are ruptured, and that this reaction renders the seed coats impermeable. The entire chain of events does not occur in Pisum sativum which has permeable seed coats.