Buthionine Sulfoximine (BSO) Reduces Chilling Tolerance of a Chilling Tolerant Maize Genotype

A new approach was applied to find evidence for the hypothesis that glutathione (GSH) protects plants against low temperature damage. In this approach the GSH content was decreased and cold tolerance of plants was determined. Buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), a substance which selectively inhibits GSH synthesis, was used to decrease GSH. It was found, that GSH and gamma-glutamylcysteine were decreased by BSO exposure, that cold injury correlated to the concentration of BSO and that injury was visible only after recovery and not after chilling