Polyamine Content in Needles, Shoot-Axes, Buds and Xylem Exudates of Mature Spruce Trees (Picea abies (L.) Karst.)

1990

1 Abb., 2 Tab., 15 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

5818

200050483

The time course of free polyamine levels was followed in needles, shoot- axes, buds and xylem exudates of mature trees grown from seeds and of grafted trees of Picea abies (L.) Karst. throughout the season. In both categories of spruce trees the polyamine concentrations of the current year's needles declined consistently within the sprouting period, whereas in the newly formed stems a significant increase in putrescine concentration occurred during the most intensive phase of shoot expansion, resulting in high ratios of putrescine to other polyamines (spermidine and spermine). In the xylem exudates, a similar rise in putrescine concentration could not be observed. The highest levels of spermidine and spermine were found in the buds before sprouting. In the 1- and 2-year-old shoots, the polyamine titers were rather low and showed negligible variation throughout the vegetation period. The possibility to improve the in vitro propagation of mature spruce trees by inhibiting the putrescine increase associated with shoot elongation is discussed.