Three willow species (Salix alba, Salix matsudana and Salix nigra) were exposed to very high cadmium (Cd) concentrations in order to define some physiological traits related to high biomass production. Plants were grown hydroponically under semi-controlled conditions (greenhouse). It was assumed that leaves accumulate different amounts of Cd in relation to their age due to the specific occurrence of symptoms generated by Cd accumulation. The rate of photosynthesis and concentration of photosynthetic pigments in young and old leaves was correlated with biomass production in order to ascertain their significance as indicators of plant performance at sites contaminated with Cd. Changes in the photosynthetic parameters induced by treatments depended on the concentration of Cd in the nutrient solution, the species of willow and leaf age. Fv/Fm ratios were not considerably changed in treated plants, indicating preserved activity of PSII. According to results presented in this work, the Fv/Fm ratio was a less sensitive indicator of Cd stress in willows than the rate of photosynthesis and pigment concentration. High tolerance to applied treatments estimated on the basis of biomass production of S. nigra and S. matsudana irrespective of Cd concentration in the growth substrate might indicate their potential in the reclamation of Cd-contaminated sites. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. No. III 043007]
The aim of this investigation was to establish the presence or absence of chemical contamination of water and the littoral zone (banks) of Danube-Tisza-Danube (DTD) canal system. The investigation covered the canal section from Bezdan to Prigrevica. By analyzing the chemical composition of dominant aquatic species in four locations of the section, we defined the species with the highest capacity to accumulate nutrients and heavy metals. Concentrations of P and K as well as of a beneficial element Na in the tissues of the analyzed macrophytes were both species- and site-dependent. The highest accumulation was registered for Ceratophyllum demersum while the species Elodea canadensis showed increased P and K accumulation values in the location Sombor. The lowest concentrations of almost all heavy metals were recorded near Sombor, indicating that this section suffered the lowest chemical pollution. Highest concentrations of all of the analyzed heavy metals were recorded in the tissue of Ceratophyllum demersum from the location Prigrevica, possibly due to the influx of polluted drainage waters from surrounding agricultural areas as well as industrial wastewaters. The obtained results showed that the enforcement of biomonitoring and analyses of other parameters indicative of ecosystem conditions might be useful for improved protection of areas experiencing a strong human impact
are valuable source of vitamins, minerals and fibers important for healthy human nutrition. However, an increased level of heavy metals in vegetables has been noticed in recent years. This study was conducted with an aim to analyze content of heavy metals, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and chromium (Cr) in 11 vegetable species which are the most common in human diet. Vegetables were collected from three green markets (Limanska, Futoska and Riblja pijaca) in Novi Sad, during September and October, from 2009 to 2011. Heavy metal contents were analyzed in edible parts of tomato, potato, spinach, onion, beetroot, parsley, parsnip, carrot, cauliflower, pepper and broccoli using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Varian, AAS 240FS). The results showed statistically significant differences in element concentrations among analyzed vegetables. In general, the highest metal pollution was observed in the year of 2011. Spinach was found to contain the highest metals content - 0.89 ?g/g for Cd, 5.81 ?g/g for Pb, and 3.67 ?g/g for Cr. According to Serbian official regulations, 18.18% of all analyzed species exceeded maximum permissible level for Cd, 9.09% for Pb, while for Cr these limits are not defined. Elevated content of heavy metals in vegetables might be related to soil contamination, atmospheric depositions during transportation and marketing. Thus, a continuous monitoring of vegetables on markets should be performed in order to prevent potential health risks to consumers.
Variability within R. pseudoacacia species represents an important factor in selection of fast-growing genotypes. Therefore, it is important to identify superior individuals according to their anatomical and physiological traits. This paper presents the results of a study of genotype variability of the main leaf anatomical (frequency, length and width of stomata, leaflet thickness among veins, leaflet thickness on the main vein, mesophyll thickness, length and width of vascular bundle of main vein) and physiological (leaf area, photosynthetic pigments content and content of N P, K, Ca, Na) parameters among five clones of Robinia pseudoacacia L. Significant interclonal variations were observed in the investigated parameters. Clone R-56 had the highest N, P, and K concentrations, the largest mesophyll volume and the highest pigment concentration. We concluded that the clone R-56, although without a remarkable leaf area, possesses the ability for high photosynthetic production. The results are going to be used in further work on selection
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