Abstract
An investigation of the tree body and soluble protein content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the leaves at different plant ages (6 age brackets: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30-year-old plants after division) in tree peony ‘Luo Yang Hong’ planted in the same garden was undertaken to clarify the senescence phenomenon of tree peony. The results indicated that the new branch length, leaf length, and number of flower buds increased in plants which grew 5 to 15 years after division; however, they tended to decrease after 20 years. The results showed that new branch length became shorter with plant age in ‘Luo Yang Hong’. The protein content increased until 15 years after division, and then decreased; a negative correlation between SOD and plant age and positive correlation between MDA and plant age were demonstrated.
