Polyamine analysis in salt stressed plants of olive (Olea europaea L.)

A rapid and sensitive method to analyse polyamines in olive (Olea europaea L.) tissues was developed, using thin-layer chromatography and densitometry. Putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spn) were detected at very low tissue concentrations. The involvement of polyamines during salt stress was assessed by supplying one year old olive plants (cvs Leccino and Carolea) with different NaCl concentrations in sand culture. Control plants always contained more Put than Spd and Spn. Salt induced the accumulation of Spd and Spn. Furthermore a dramatic decrease in root Put content was observed in plants supplied with increasing NaCl concentrations (50-150 mM). These results differ from those of previous experiments on polyamine accumulation induced by other stresses, indicating a need to optimize sampling procedures.