OPLC Analysis of Polyamines in Wheat Seedlings under Cadmium Stress

Two wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Chinese Spring and Cappelle Desprez) differing in drought stress tolerance were treated with two concentrations of cadmium (10-7 and 10-3 M) to investigate whether there is also any difference in their heavy-metal tolerance. Overpressured layer chromatography (OPLC) with off-line fluorescence detection was used to monitor cadmium stress-induced changes in the polyamine content of wheat seedlings. Significant differences were found between the spermidine (Spd) and putrescine (Put) content of the two wheat cultivars. The Spd content of the moderately drought-tolerant Chinese Spring increased both in shoots and roots at the higher Cd concentration compared with the control whereas in the drought-sensitive Cappelle Desprez the Spd level was reduced by both Cd treatments. Put content increased with the amount of Cd to which the roots of Chinese Spring wheat were exposed. In the Cappelle Desprez cultivar the Put content of both organs was higher at both Cd concentrations compared with the control.