Response of the pea roots defense systems to the two-element combinations of metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb).

Arleta Malecka; Aneta Piechalak; Barbara Zielińska; Agnieszka Kutrowska; Barbara Tomaszewska

doi:10.18388/abp.2014_1918

Arleta Malecka Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Collegium Biologicum, Poznań, Poland.;
Aneta Piechalak Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Collegium Biologicum, Poznań, Poland.;
Barbara Zielińska Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Collegium Biologicum, Poznań, Poland.;
Agnieszka Kutrowska Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Collegium Biologicum, Poznań, Poland.;
Barbara Tomaszewska Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Collegium Biologicum, Poznań, Poland.;

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18388/abp.2014_1918

Abstract

The presence of the single metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn) induces ROS (reactive oxygen species) production and causes oxidative stress in plants. While applied in two-element combinations, trace metals impact organisms in a more complex way. To assess the resultant effect we treated the pea grown hydroponically with the trace metals in variants: CuPb, CuCd, CuZn, PbCd, ZnPb, ZnCd in concentrations of 25 µM for each metal ion. Abiotic stress inhibited root elongation growth, decreased biomass production, induced changes in root colour and morphology. It changed rate of ROS production, malondialdehyde content, increased activity and altered gene expression of defence enzymes (superoxide dysmutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase).