Rejuvenation of Sequoia sempervirens in Vitro: Changes in Isoesterases and Isoperoxidases

Rejuvenation, as evidenced by restored rooting competence, of Sequoia sempervirens by a series of repeated grafting of adult shoot tips onto juvenile rootstocks in vitro was confirmed. Complete restoration of rooting competence was achieved after grafting repeatedly five times. The rejuvenation was correlated with a disappearance of adult-associated esterase and peroxidase isozymes and an appearance of isoesterases and isoperoxidases that were characteristic of juvenile-phase shoots. These esterase and peroxidase isozymes could serve as markers to assist phasechange investigations.