Effect of High Temperature on Proline Content in Tomato Floral Buds and Leaves

Abstract

The proline contents of anthers, pollen, pistils, and leaves were examined in several tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cultivars under different temperature conditions. The proline content in anthers increased with advancing development of floral buds to a maximum at anthesis. The pistil contained less proline than the anthers and did not accumulate proline with advancement of floral bud development in most cultivars. High temperature reduced proline content in anthers regardless of the stages of floral bud development. It also tended to reduce proline content in pistils of later floral bud stage. The proline content of the leaves was lower than that of anthers or pistils; however, high temperature increased the proline level in the leaves. Pollen collected from the hot-season planting contained less proline than that collected from the cool-season planting. The addition of proline to germination medium enhanced pollen germination rate and increased pollen resistance to heat. These results suggest that the low proline accumulation in anthers and pollen at high temperature may be the result of the high accumulation in the leaves. Also, high proline content in anthers may be necessary to confer heat resistance to pollen germinating at high temperatures.