Changes in free polyamine concentration induced by salt stress in seedlings of different species

Growth rate, mineral composition and changes in polyamine concentration induced in response to salinity were studied in six crop species: spinach, lettuce, bean, pepper, beetroot and tomato. Salinity decreased growth rate, but sensitivity differed amongst the species: pepper being the most sensitive, followed by bean, tomato, lettuce and spinach, with beetroot being the most tolerant. The increase of Na+ and total cation with salinity in shoots was the highest in spinach and beetroot, the most tolerant species, while in pepper it was the lowest. Changes in putrescine (Put) concentration in shoots were related to salinity tolerance (increased in the most sensitive), while changes in spermidine (Spd; decreases) and spermine (Spm; increases) were similar with most species, except for pepper in which salinity strongly increased Put, Spd and Spm. Therefore, total polyamine concentration increased in pepper shoot, while it decreased in the other species. Thus, results show that Put accumulation was a consequence of salt stress in the most sensitive species, while salt tolerant species (beetroot) showed little change in polyamine concentration, and higher concentration in both Na+ and total cations. The role of polyamines or cation increased concentration after saline treatment in species with different salt tolerance is discussed.