Salt Sensitivity in Camelina sativa Seedlings and Polyamine Content

The objective of the present investigation was to study the effect of different NaCl concentrations (0, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 mM) on seedlings of Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz. On these seedlings, we determined their appearance after 3 days of salt stress, soluble sugar and total amino acid contents and levels of polyamines. The Camelina seedlings suffered already at 75 mM of salt and presented more damages at higher concentrations. The content of sugars and amino acids increased up to 75 mM NaCl and then declined. The decrease was especially pronounced on soluble sugars at the highest concentrations. The Polyamine content increased at 50 mM and then decreased at higher concentration. The polyamine increase at 50 mM was mainly due to spermine. The presence of exogenous spermine (1 mM) during the stress ameliorated the tolerance of salinity, confirming previous studies about the protective role of spermine against salt stress.