Abstract: Spring wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L. ) at 4-leaf stage were fumigated with 03 (0. 796± 0.04 mg/m3) in open-top chambes. The changes and regulation of stress ethylene production and polyamine metabolism in leaves were emphatically investigated. The results revealed that the stress ethylene production in leaves exposed to 03 increased at first and declined afterwards; and could be inhibited by COC12. During the initial stage of 03 stress, the activity of arginine decarboxylase (ADC) increased, but with the augment of leaf injury caused by 03, the ADC activity was correspondingly retarded. After leaves were sprayed with p-chloromercuri benzoie acid (PCMB), the ADC activity was inhibited and putamine content was reduced. However the Spd and Spm content rose slightly. After leaves were sprayed with CoC12, the ADC activity was not significantly altered, whereas the content of Spd and Spm accumulated greatly. Moreover, the high concentration of Spd and Spm maintained for a long time so as the leaf injury from 03 stress became less serious. These results indicate that the potyamine content can be accumulated by inhibiting stress ethylene production. The high concentration of Spd and Spm plays a major role in protection against 03 injury. Change of polyamine content in leaves is an adaptive regulatory mechanism against 03 stress.

Key words: Spring wheat, 03 stress, Stress ethylene, Polyamines