METHYL JASMONATE INDUCES THE ACCUMULATION OF PUTRESCINE BUT NOT PROLINE IN DETACHED RICE LEAVES

The effects of methyl jasmonate (MJ) and abscisic acid (ABA) on the levels of proline and putrescine in detached rice leaves were investigated. ABA induced the accumulation of proline but not putrescine in detached rice leaves incubation in darkness. In contrast to the effect of ABA, MJ induced the accumulation of putrescine but not proline in darkness. MJ also increased the levels of putrescine in detached rice leaves in the light. Both D-arginine and alpha-methylornithine, inhibitors of the biosynthesis of putrescine, reduced the level of putrescine induced by MJ. It is concluded that MJ can act like certain other stresses (K+ and Mg2+ deficiency, excess NH4+, low pH, salinity and osmotic stress) to induce substantial increases in putrescine in detached rice leaves.