Methyl jasmonate alters polyamine metabolism and induces systemic protection against powdery mildew infection in barley seedlings

Treatment of the first leaves of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Golden Promise) seedlings with methyl jasmonate (MJ) led to small, but significant increases in levels of free putrescine and spermine 1 d later and to significant increases in levels of free putrescine, spermidine and spermine by 4 d following treatment. MJ-treated first leaves also exhibited significant increases in the amounts of soluble conjugates of putrescine and spermidine 1, 2 and 4 d after treatment. In second leaves of plants where the first leaves had been treated with MJ, no significant changes in levels of free polyamines were observed, but significant increases in levels of soluble conjugates of putrescine and spermidine were detected. These changes were accompanied by increased activities of soluble ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), soluble and particulate arginine decarboxylase (ADC), and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AdoMetDC), in first and second leaves following treatment of the first leaves with MJ. Activities of soluble and particulate diamine oxidase (DAO) were also higher in first and second leaves following treatment of the first leaves with MJ. Treatment of the first leaves with MJ led to a significant reduction in powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei) infection on the second leaves and also resulted in significant increases in activities of the plant defence-related enzymes, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and peroxidase.