Journal of Environmental Biology

Studies on toxic effects of nitrogenous compound, putrescine and spermine on cucumber plant growth

Ramalingam Radhakrishnan¹, Jae-Ho Shin², Yeon-Sik Choo³, Jong-Guk Kim⁴ and In- Jung Lee^1*

¹School of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Sangyuk-Dong, Buk-gu, Daegu 702 701, Korea

²School of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702 701, Korea

³Department of Biology, College of National Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702 701, Korea

⁴Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702 701, Korea

*Corresponding Author E-mail: ijlee@knu.ac.kr

Publication Data

Paper received:

25 May 2012

Revised received:

08 November 2012

Accepted:

24 December 2012

Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of putrescine (Put) and spermine (Spm) on cucumber plant growth. The low concentration of Put and Spm (0.02, 0.1 and 0.5 mM) was applied to cucumber seedlings. Put and Spm treatments reduced the length and fresh weight of shoots, leaf area, fresh and dry weight of leaves compared to their controls. The enhancement of electrical conductivity and lipid peroxidation was shown in cucumber plants exposed with Put and Spm. However, plants treated with Put and Spm showed low concentration of polyphenol contents with declined level of catalase and peroxidase activity than their controls. These results suggest that application of low concentrations of Put and Spm exhibit detrimental effects on plant growth through the enhanced level of lipid peroxidation and reduction of antioxidants activities.

 Key words

Antioxidants, Cucumber, Putrescine, Spermine, Toxicity

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