Effect of cadmium on the content of phytohormones and free amino acids, its cytogenetic effect, and accumulation in cultivated plants

Cadmium stress increases antioxidant enzyme activities and decreases endogenous hormone concentrations more in Cd-tolerant than Cd-sensitive wheat varieties

The different wheat varieties have different tolerance to cadmium stress, while the mechanisms underlying the Cd tolerance are still poorly understood. A pot experiment was conducted to study the changes of antioxidant enzyme activities and endogenous hormones in wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes differing in cadmium (Cd) accumulation (low = Pingan 8 and high = Bainong 160) in different growth stages under Cd stress. The Cd treatment (3 mg/kg) increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) and concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and abscisic acid (ABA); in contrast, it reduced the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), intercellular carbon dioxide concentration (Ci) and the concentrations of gibberellin (GA₃), auxin (IAA) and zeatin nucleoside (ZR) in wheat leaves compared to the CK (without Cd). The antioxidant enzyme activities were higher in Bainong 160 than Pingan 8 under Cd stress. In addition, the changes in endogenous hormone concentration were smaller in Bainong 160 than Pingan 8 leaves. The correlation coefficients of Bainong 160 and Pingan 8 were 0.87 and 0.66, respectively. Our results suggest that high Cd accumulation (greater Cd tolerance) in Bainong 160 is associated with higher photosynthetic parameters, higher activities of antioxidant enzyme and higher concentration of hormones than Pingan 8.

Chelator profiling in Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) Beauv. Reveals a Ni reaction, which is distinct from the ABA and cytokinin associated response to Cd

Plant hormones, including abscisic acid (ABA) and cytokinins (CKs), fluctuate as a result of excess metal exposure. Changes in hormonal concentration regulate plant growth and may also signal activation of metal chelators. The grass Deschampsia cespitosa was dosed with either Ni or Cd or pulsed with exogenous ABA. The roots were analyzed for ABA and CKs and for multiple potential metal chelators including: amino acids, nicotianamine (NA), and phytochelatins (PCs). They were quantified after 3 h and after 7 days, using LC-ESI MS/MS. The Ni treatment caused no measurable change in ABA or CK concentration; however, an increase in NA was documented. The Cd treatment resulted in a short-term ABA increase followed by a reduction in CKs and an increase in PC concentration. An exogenous ABA pulse in non-metal challenged plants induced changes in CKs and PCs that followed those of Cd treatment. Ni and Cd stress resulted in distinctly different detoxification responses. Since the reaction of CKs and putative metal chelators to Cd stress can be mimicked by an exogenous ABA pulse, it is suggested that ABA acts as a stress signal, resulting in reduced growth by way of decreased CK concentration and reduced metal toxicity through increased PC production.

Trace metals, peroxidase activity, PAHs contents and ecophysiological changes in Quercus ilex leaves in the urban area of Caserta (Italy)

Trace metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, severely affecting human, animal and plants health, highly contribute to the air pollution in urban areas mainly due to car traffic. In this study the air biomonitoring of the city of Caserta (South Italy) has been performed by using Quercus ilex L., a widespread ornamental plant in parks, gardens and avenues. The plant leaves from different sites within the urban area were collected and used to determine the concentrations of V, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Cu, and PAHs as well as the free amino acid content and peroxidase enzyme activity as indices of the leaf physiological conditions. All the tested trace metals showed concentrations higher than the control site. Lead was positively correlated to Cd and Cr and showed, also, a positive trend with Ni and Cu that, in their turn, were highly correlated between them. Positive and significant correlations were evidenced between total PAHs and carcinogenic PAHs and negative correlations between those and all trace metals assayed except V. Cu and Cd contents evidence negative correlations with peroxidase activity, and the free amino acid contents. The PAHs, in particular Carc-PAHs, were negatively correlated to the tested heavy metals. POD was positively correlated only with V and negatively correlated with Cu and Cd.