Amines in Barley Laves Infected by Brown Rust and Their Possible Relevance to Formation of ‘Green Islands’

Summary Free amines, present in healthy leaves of barley and in leaves infected by brown rust (Puccinia hordei Otth.), have been partially characterized. The concentrations of five amines present in both kinds of tissue rise following infection and at least three extra amines are detectable in rusted tissue. The concentration of the polyamine, spermidine, increases rapidly by 6 d after inoculation and, at sporulation, it is six to seven times that in comparable healthy tissues. The possible involvement of polyamines in the ‘green island’ syndrome is discussed.