Influence of heavy metals on the accumulation of trimethylglycine, putrescine and spermine in food plants

Increased contents of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and other heavy me tals in barley plants enhanced the accumulation of trimethylglycine (betain e), putrescine and spermine. Higher contents of heavy metals in barley were caused by soil enrichment with heavy metals and by soil salinity. The high est accumulation of spermine and betaine (increase 3-fold or 5-fold in comp arison to untreated soil substrates) was obtained at the highest concentrat ion of heavy metals in plants. Consequently the betaine-N / protein-N-ratio and the spermine-N / protein-N-quotient increased 3-fold in plants with hi gh heavy metal contents. The biomass formation was not changed significantl y by the different experimental treatments.