Response of alfalfa to putrescine treatment under drought stress

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. Siwa 1) seeds were germinated in polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000) of different concentrations and with or without putrescine. The decrease in water potential of the PEG solution reduced germination rate, germination percentage, and growth criteria (e.g., hypocotyl length, fresh and dry masses of shoot and root), while the root length was increased. The decrease in water potential also reduced the contents of total soluble and reducing sugars, and proteins, and activities of alpha-and beta-amylases and invertase, while increased protease activity. Putrescine treatment improved germination and all growth criteria and increased the activity of the hydrolytic enzymes except protease. In a pot experiment, drought stress was imposed by decreasing the soil moisture. Growth criteria, contents of proteins, chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids, as well as Hill reaction activity decreased while the hydrolytic enzyme activity and total soluble and reducing sugar contents increased under drought stress. Putrescine treatment decreased the activity of the hydrolytic enzymes and increased the polysaccharide, protein and photosynthetic pigment contents, and Hill reaction activity.