The Effect of Polyamines on Floral Initiation and Flower Development in Polianthes tuberosa

by Chang, Pao-Shu

Abstract In the day-neutral plant Polianthes tuberosa L.¡]cv. Double¡^putrescine and spermine in corms at the early floral initiation stage decreased by 26 and 35¢M,respectively, compared with those in the vegetative stage. In contrast, a sharp increase in cadeverine and spermidine titres in corms were recorded at the early floral initiation stage. Polyamines in the roots were generally lower than those in the leaves and corms. In no case were the changes in endogenous polyamine titres in the roots and leaves associated with floral initiation and flower development in P. tuberosa. Results indicate that an increase in cadeverine and spermidine titres in the corms seems characteristic of early floral initiation in P. tuberosa. It is also suggested that a significant reduction in putrescine and spermine in the corms is involved in the early floral initiation in P. tuberosa.