Effect of exogenous spermidine on polyamine content and metabolism in tomato exposed to salinity–alkalinity mixed stress

We investigated the effects of seeds pretreatment with exogenous spermidine (Spd) on the polyamine content and metabolism in the roots of two cultivars of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), Jinpengchaoguan and Zhongza No. 9 grown under conditions of mixed salinity–alkalinity stress. These cultivars differ in their tolerance to salinity stress, with the former more tolerant than the latter. PA content, whether in its free forms, soluble conjugated forms, or insoluble bound forms, increased significantly during salinity–alkalinity stress. The activities of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) and diamine oxidase (DAO), concentrations of free Spd, soluble conjugated forms of Spd and spermine (Spm), and insoluble bound form of Spd in the roots were enhanced to a greater extent in cv. Jinpengchaoguan roots than in cv. Zhongza No.9 in response to salinity–alkalinity stress. Interestingly, Spd application to seeds markedly suppressed the accumulation of free Put, but promoted an increase in free Spd and Spm concentrations, as well as soluble conjugated forms of Spd and insoluble bound forms of Put in both cultivars. From these data, we deduced that exogenous Spd promotes the conversion of free Put into free Spd and Spm, and soluble conjugated forms and insoluble bound forms of PAs under salinity–alkalinity stress. Furthermore, under salinity–alkalinity stress conditions, exogenous Spd enhanced the activities of ODC, SAMDC and DAO, and reduced the activities of ADC and polyamine oxidase (PAO) in cv. Zhongza No.9 roots. In addition, exogenous Spd reduced the activities of ADC and ODC, and increased the activities of DAO and SAMDC in cv. Jinpengchaoguan roots under salinity–alkalinity stress conditions. These results suggest that exogenous Spd treatment can regulate the metabolic status of polyamines caused by salinity–alkalinity stress, and eventually enhance tolerance of tomato plants to salinity–alkalinity stress. Additionally, Spd treatments have varying effects on different tolerant tomato cultivars.