CHROMOSOMAL LOCALIZATION OF OSMOTIC AND SALT STRESS-INDUCED DIFFERENTIAL ALTERATIONS IN POLYAMINE CONTENT IN WHEAT

Osmotic and salinity-induced polyamine accumulation were compared in callus cultures of drought and salt tolerant wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars and in disomic substitution lines. Putrescine, spermidine and spermine occurred in all cultures. Mannitol-induced osmotic stress increased putrescine in all, and cadaverine in two varieties, while salt stress increased spermidine titer, the accumulation rate being higher in sensitive than in tolerant varieties. Specific chromosome (5A and 7A) involvement in osmotic stress induced spermidine accumulation revealed that mannitol was the most effective stress agent and only spermidine titer of Chinese Spring was significantly changed as a consequence of chromosome substitution. The A genome of Cappelle Desprez (donor) substituted into Chinese Spring (recipient) appears to carry genes involved in the control of osmotic stress induced spermidine accumulation, and the genes controlling cadaverine biosynthesis may be localized in chromosome 5B.