Polyamines and Root Formation in Mung Bean Hypocotyl Cuttings 1: I. Effects of Exogenous Compounds and Changes in Endogenous Polyamine Content

The effect of several polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine), their precursors (l-arginine and l-ornithine), and some analogs and metabolic inhibitors (l-canavanine, l-canaline, and methylglyoxal-bis [guanylhydrazone]) on root formation have been studied in mung bean (Vigna radiata [L.] Wilczek) hypocotyl cuttings.

Exogenously applied polyamines did not promote adventitious root formation. Rooting was inhibited by l-canavanine and l-canaline, and this inhibition was reversed by the corresponding amino acids l-arginine and l-ornithine. Methylglyoxal-bis (guanylhydrazone), an inhibitor of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and polyamine biosynthesis, was also found to inhibit root formation. All compounds at concentrations of >10⁻⁴ molarity completely inhibited natural root formation, whereas at <10⁻⁵ molarity only the indole-butyric acid-induced root formation was inhibited.

Indole-butyric acid-induced root formation was accompanied by a considerable increase in polyamine levels, more than 2-fold of the control. Whereas senescing (unrooted) cuttings evinced a rapid decline in polyamine content during 48 hours, indole-butyric acid treatment resulted in elevated levels of putrescine and increased putrescine to spermidine ratio. The changes in polyamines were dependent on indole-butyric acid concentration and were organ specific.