Peroxidase activity and localization in the abscission zone of bean leaves were studied histochemically and by gel electrophoresis. Deblading of bean leaves resulted in an increase in peroxidase activity in the abscission zone 2 to 4 days after deblading with highest activity just prior to separation. In debladed plants, the cell division in six to eight layers of cells preceded separation. An ethylene treatment (8 microliters per liter) induced separation of debladed petioles in approximately 24 hours and of intact plants in 36 to 48 hours. Ethylene treatment produced similar results in both debladed and intact plants. In ethylene-treated plants, whether debladed or not, enzyme localization was restricted to only two to three layers of cells with no cell division apparent prior to separation. Infrequent cell divisions were observed after treatment with 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (1000 micrograms per liter) (Ethephon); however, other changes were similar to those observed with ethylene. Deblading and ethylene treatment resulted in changes in the six peroxidase isozymes observed in the abscission zone. Only four were observed in samples collected 2 centimeters below the abscission zone. Peroxidase bands IV and V increased significantly in debladed and ethylene-treated plants and peroxidase VI decreased only in debladed plants. The changes in peroxidase activity were invariably observed prior to separation in all treatments.