In: Phyton, 50 Fasc. 2 (2011), S. 263-286 with 1 figure

Key words: Grain yield, wheat, osmotic pressure, osmoprotectants, polyamines, Triticum aestivum, waste water.

Summary

Aldesuquy H. S., Haroun S. A., Abo-Hamed S. A. & Al-Saied A.A. 2011. Physiological studies of some polyamines on wheat plants irrigated with waste water. I. Osmolytes in relation to osmotic adjustment and grain yield. – Phyton (Horn, Austria) 50 (2): 263–286, with 1 figure.

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the beneficial effect of grain presoaking in spermine (0.15 mM), spermidine (0.30 mM) and their interaction on tolerance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Sakha 94) plants irrigated with waste water mostly polluted by heavy metals. Osmotic pressure (OP), some osmolytes concentration and grain yield were determined. Waste water at all examined concentrations caused marked increases in OP, osmolytes [proline, organic acids, chloride and heavy metals (Cd++, Pb++, Cu++, Ni++ & Zn++)] content in flag leaves of wheat plants at heading and anthesis stages. On the other hand, waste water stress induced marked decreases in total soluble nitrogen (TSN), total soluble sugars (TSS) and ions (Na+, K+, & Ca++) as well as grain yield.

Exogenous application of polyamines either spermine, spermidine or their interaction mitigated the deleterious effects of waste water on wheat plants. The effect was more pronounced with spermine + spermidine treatment. The applied polyamines increased the osmotic pressure, TSN, TSS, proline, organic acids and ions (Na+, K+, & Ca++) concentration as well as grain yield.

The osmotic pressure appeared to depend mainly on proline, organic acids, chloride and heavy metals content, where there is positive correlations between OP and proline, organic acids, and heavy metals. The economic yield (grain yield) was positively correlated with TSN, TSS and ion contents but negatively correlated with proline, organic acids, chloride, heavy metals and OP.