Exogenous putrescine reduces flooding-induced oxidative damage by increasing the antioxidant properties of Welsh onion

Soil flooding is an environmental factor of seasonal occurrence that negatively affects plant performance. Polyamines play an important role in the plant response to adverse environmental conditions including flooding stress. The objective of the present study was to assess the comparative oxidative damage to Welsh onion plants caused by flooding stress and to examine the role of putrescine (Put) in this response. Welsh onion plants were treated with Put prior to 10 d flooding. A positive effect was observed when treating with 2 mM Put. Exogenous application of Put resulted in alleviation of flooding-induced reduced relative water content, plant growth and chlorophyll fluorescence. Superoxide radical (O2−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents were also reduced in stressed plants after Put pre-treatment and thereby the oxidative stress in plant cells was lowered. The antioxidant system, as an important component of the waterlogging-stress-protective mechanism including α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-radical scavenging activity, superoxide anion radical scavenging, metal chelating activities and reducing power, can be upgraded by Put, which is therefore able to moderate the radical scavenging system and to lessen oxidative stress. Under non-flooding conditions, the anti-oxidative activity of Welsh onion was regulated and elevated by Put pre-treatment. These results suggest that Put confers flooding tolerance to Welsh onion, probably through inducing the activities of various anti-oxidative systems. Thus, exogenous 2 mM per plant of Put 24 h prior to flooding could alleviate flooding stress.