Relationship between changes in endogenous polyamines and seed quality during development of sh2 sweet corn (Zea mays L.) seed

Polyamines putatively affect tolerance to abiotic stresses and are believed to be important in organogenesis. Present experiments investigate the relationship between polyamines (PAs) and seed quality. Therefore, during seed development, the changes in free putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) and physiological and biochemical parameters in F₁ seeds of sh₂ sweet corn were compared. Concentrations of Put, Spd and Spm increased from 14 to 30 days after pollination (DAP). After 30 DAP Put concentration declined with an opposite trend to that of Spd and Spm. The regression analysis between PAs and seed quality described by physiological and biochemical parameters including germination percentage, germination energy, germination index, seed size, seed fresh and dry weight, total soluble sugar, total soluble protein, Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, electrolyte leakage, peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activity were conducted. Spd was observed to have a closer relation with the comprehensive physiological changes of seeds during their development than that of Put and Spm. Moreover, the Spm concentration might be more suitable to forecast seed germinability during seed maturation period than Spd and Put. It indicated that endogenous Spd and Spm in dissociated form had more effect than Put during seed development progress of sweet corn.