POLYAMINE ANALYSIS IN SALT-STRESSED PLANTS OF OLIVE (OLEA-EUROPAEA L)

A rapid and sensitive method to analyse polyamines in olive (Olea euro paea L.) tissues was developed, using thin-layer chromatography and de nsitometry. Putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spn) were detected at very low tissue concentrations. The involvement of polyam ines during salt stress was assessed by supplying one year old olive p lants (cvs Leccino and Carolea) with different NaCl concentrations in sand culture. Control plants always contained more Put than Spd and Sp n. Salt induced the accumulation of Spd and Spn. Furthermore a dramati c decrease in root Put content was observed in plants supplied with in creasing NaCl concentrations (50-150 mM). These results differ from th ose of previous experiments on polyamine accumulation induced by other stresses, indicating a need to optimize sampling procedures.