The protective effect of exogenous putrescine in the response of tea plants (Camellia sinensis) to salt stress

Abstract

Camellia sinensis cultivars were treated with 5 mM putrescine (Put) under a range of sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations. Plant performance, as indicated by various indicators associated with plant growing condition such as photosynthetic parameters and polyamine (PA) contents, especially the content of Put, was improved by the treatment. The extent of both Na+ accumulation and K+ loss increased. The activity levels of the antioxidant enzymes related to salt stress, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase, were significantly altered with different salt stress levels and showed a decrease in the general trend. Besides, tea polyphenols, the tea quality indicator, increased during the salinity treatment but decreased when we applied Put. These findings suggest that treatment with Put might constitute an effective means for alleviating salinity stress–induced injury through its positive effect on photosynthetic efficiency and for controlling reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging ability under appropriate salt stress levels.