Polyamine Alterations in Isolated Zucchini Cotyledons Grown in Presence of Cytokinins and Cu²⁺

Abstract

Polyamines are small nitrogen-containing organic molecules, which are widely distributed in plants. They are involved in the regulation of normal plant growth and developmental processes. In this study we examined the role of polyamines on the growth of Cucurbita pepo L.(zucchini) cotyledons incubated on solutions of different types of cytokinins (BA —N 6 -benzylaminopurine or 4PU-30—N 1 -(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N 2 -phenylurea) and copper in excess. We found that endogenous polyamines, and mainly the conjugated fraction, are involved in the cell division processes of isolated zucchini cotyledons and their changes are related to the specific action of the used growth regulating factors.