EXOGENOUS POLYAMINES ALTER THE ACTIVITY OF PROTEASES, RNASES AND MEMBRANE-PERMEABILITY IN WHEAT LEAVES UNDER WATER-STRESS CONDITIONS

Wheat seedlings were treated with exogenous spermidine than were subjected to water stress. A pre-stress application of exogenous spermidine changed the response of a plant to water deficit. In the plants treated with polyamine subjected to water stress the activity of proteases, ribonucleases and membrane permeability were decreased in comparison with untreated plants. In the control plants treated and untreated with spermidine these parameters were not changed. In control plants the polyamines level were similar in treated and untreated combinations. In plants subjected to water stress putrescine, spermidine and spermine were accumulated and the level of these ones depended on the way of treating and concentrations used.