Peroxidase (POD) constitutes a class of
heme-containing enzymes ubiquitously present in prokaryotic and
eukaryotic organisms. This enzyme catalyzes the dehydrogenation
of structurally diverse phenolic and endolic substances by H2O2
and is thus often regarded as an antioxidant enzyme, protecting
cells from the destructive influence of H2O2 and derived oxygen
species (Pandey et al., 2010; Shigeoka et al., 2002). The efficiency
of the antioxidant defense system is correlated with tolerance to
drought stress.