Putrescine modulates antioxidant defense response in wheat under high temperature stress

Effects of putrescine (Put) on responses of wheat (Triticum aestivum) seedlings or detached tillers at mid-milky stage to high temperature (HT) stress were investigated. The heat tolerant cv. PBW 343 exhibited higher content of antioxidants and activities of antioxidative enzymes, while lower content of lipid peroxides as compared to the heat-sensitive cv. HD 2329. HT elevated peroxidase (POX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, while diamine oxidase (DAO) and polyamine oxidase (PAO) activities were reduced in roots, shoots and developing grains. Application of Put under HT further enhanced POX and SOD activities along with increased content of ascorbate and tocophereol in grains. Invariably POX and SOD revealed higher activities in roots while CAT, DAO and PAO activities were higher in shoots. The content of lipid peroxides was increased in roots and shoots of HT stressed seedlings but less in Put-treated cv. PBW 343.