Effects of Polyamines on Chlorophyll and Protein Content, Photochemical Activity, and Chloroplast Ultrastructure of Barley Leaf Discs during Senescence

The polyamines putrescine, spermidine, and spermine prevent the loss of chlorophyll normally associated with senescence of excised leaf tissue maintained in darkness on water (control). Retention of chlorophyll in barley leaf discs was in the range of 90% 4 days after excision and placement on effective polyamine solutions. In contrast, the loss of soluble protein was hastened with 0.5 millimolar spermidine and spermine treatments but it was retarded by 0.5 millimolar putrescine.