The growth and development of Damask rose (Rosa damascena Miller var. trigintipetala Dieck) are drastically
inhibited under water stress. Polyamines (PAs) are involved in water stress tolerance. However, very limited information
is known concerning the effects of exogenous application of PAs on aromatic plants including Damask
rose. This experiment was carried out to study the application of Spermine (Spm) or Spermidine (Spd) on some
physiological and biochemical processes to understand the possible mechanisms concerning the water stress alleviation
in Damask rose. Plants were exposed to two water conditions: 100% of field capacity (FC) as well
watered treatment and 50% of FC as a water stress treatment. Foliar applications of Spm or Spd were applied
at 0.5 mM while control plants were sprayed with distilled water. The application of Spm or Spd improved the
growth characters, relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content and stomatal conductance under water
stress. Furthermore, proline content and CAT and SOD enzyme activities were also improved by applying Spm
or Spd. H2O2 production was restricted and MDA accumulation was limited and hence the membrane stability
was retained and the water stress damage was alleviated accordingly. In addition, exogenous application of
Spm or Spd reduced the endogenous Put level and increased both Spm and Spd levels which suggest that PAs
were implicated in water stress adaptation of Damask rose plants. Enhancing Damask rose from water stress
not only by activating the antioxidant machinery but also by balancing the PAs metabolism due to exogenous application
of Spm or Spd was suggested.