Role of putrescine in salt tolerance of Atropa belladonna plant

The effects of putrescine on germination and seedling growth of Atropa belladonna plants under the influence of NaCl were studied. Rate of germination, seedling growth, endogenous putrescine and alkaloids content decreased when seeds were subjected to salt stress. Presoaking seeds in 10(-2) mM putrescine and treatment with NaCl reduced the net accumulation of sodium and chloride ions in different organs of the plant. Thus, presoaking seeds in 10(-2) mM putrescine can alleviate the adverse effect of NaCl during germination and early seedling growth of A. belladonna and increase alkaloids as well as endogenous putrescine. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.