POLYAMINES IN REGULATION OF SEED DORMANCY AND GERMINATION

Polyamines, mainly putrescine, spermine and spermidine play essential role in various physiological processes and in reaction to biotic and abiotic stresses, indicating their importance for plant survival. This review focus on polyamines action in seeds. In cooperation with classical phytohormones (abscisic acid, gibberellins, ethylene) and small signaling molecules, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) or nitric oxide (NO), polyamines take part in regulation of embryogenesis, ageing, dormancy removal and germination of seeds. Polyamines are abundant in mature seeds, although the contribution of particular polyamines differ even among the same species. The effect of spermine in seed physiology, in general, contrast with other polyamines: putrescine and spermidine emphazing that individual polyamines have defined action in plants and that they differentially affect seed dormancy and germination. Manipulation of polyamine biosynthesis and/or catabolism leads to alteration in seedling development due to modification in seed embryogenesis resulting in seed abortion or restriction of germination.