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Title: Role of polyamines and phospholipase D in maize (Zea mays L.) response to drought stress

Author
item AN, ZHENFENG - Northwest Agricultural & Forestry University
item LI, CHIYUAN - Northwest Agricultural & Forestry University
item ZHANG, LIXIN - Northwest Agricultural & Forestry University
item Alva, Ashok

Submitted to: South African Journal of Botany
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/20/2012
Publication Date: 12/20/2012
Citation: An, Z., Li, C., Zhang, L., Alva, A.K. 2012. Role of polyamines and phospholipase D in maize (Zea mays L.) response to drought stress. South African Journal of Botany. 83:145-150.

Interpretive Summary: Polyamines are low molecular weight aliphatic chemicals in plant cells, which play an important role in plant response to drought stress. Most common polyamines in higher plants are putrescine, spermidine, and spermine. In this study the role of polyamines and phospholipase D in maize response to drought stress was investigated under simulated drought stress using polyethylene glycol. The results of this study revealed that during the early stages of drought stress stomatal closure (adaptive mechanism for drought stress) was induced by an increase in phospholipase activity. When the plants are exposed to prolonged drought stress, polyamines counts increased which in turn increased phospholipase activity to withstand the drought stress effects. Exogenous application of polyamines increased phospholipase activity. Putrescine was most effective in the above effect as compared to the other forms of polyamines

Technical Abstract: Hydroponic experiment was conducted to elucidate the role of polyamines and phospholipase D (PLD) in regulating response of maize plants to drought stress (DS). During the early stage of DS, an increase in PLD activity, independent of polyamines contents, was mainly responsible for stomatal closure as an adaptive mechanism to DS. When exposed to prolonged DS, an increase in PLD activity was induced by enhanced content of polyamines, including putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm). A reduction in the ratio of Spd+Spm/ Put caused more serious membrane damage. Exogenous application of polyamines increased the PLD activity in maize. This effect was greatest with application of Put as compared to that with application of other polyamines.