Tolerance to salt stress in maize callus lines with different polyamine content

Four callus lines from immature embryos of a self-crossed maize (Zea mays L.) hybrid cultivar were selected for “high” (two lines) and “low” (two lines) polyamine (PA) levels. Each selected line was exposed to culture media containing no (control) or 1% (0.171 m) NaCl and the relative growth rates were compared after subculture. Low-PA lines appeared to be tolerant to salt stress, while high-PA lines were sensitive. Analysis of PA at the end of the subculture showed that treated calli of sensitive lines had increased their putrescine content in comparison with their control, while putrescine remained constant in tolerant lines. Callus lines were analysed by RAPD (random amplification of polymorphic DNA) markers. One polymorphism (550-bp band) was found, demonstrating a genetic difference between the lines. Received: 18 January 1997 / Revision received: 14 April 1997 / Accepted 15 July 1997