Endogenous Levels of Polyamines under Water-Deficit Stress during Cotton’s Reproductive Development

Abstract

Polyamines, putrescine (PUT), spermidine (SPD) and spermine (SPM) are implicated in plants’ responses under conditions of abiotic stress. Previous research in other crops has indicated that polyamines and changes in their concentrations are associated with drought tolerance under conditions of water-deficit stress; however, no information exists on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Growth chamber experiments were conducted with two cotton cultivars differing in drought tolerance, ST5288B2F (drought-sensitive) and Siokra L23 (drought-tolerant) in order to investigate the distribution of free polyamines, the effect of water-deficit stress on the polyamine metabolism of cotton reproductive units and their subtending leaves as well as the possible relationship between polyamines and drought tolerance in cotton. Our results showed that cotton ovaries contained significantly higher levels of total free polyamines compared to their subtending leaves under both control and water stress conditions. Water-deficit stress significantly increased PUT concentrations in ST5288B2F, while SPM levels significantly decreased in Siokra L23. The results indicated that water-deficit stress significantly affected cotton polyamine metabolism in reproductive structures and their subtending leaves; however, no clear relationship between drought-tolerance and changes in polyamine accumulation was established. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanism according to which water-deficit stress affects polyamine metabolism.