Proline hyper-accumulation is one of the widely reported responses of
plants exposed to heavy metals. The present study observed the level of
proline hyper-accumulation in 20 crop plants exposed to Cu and in
T. aestivum exposed to various heavy metals. Differential
observations in resistance (growth as indicator), avoidance (of Cu/
heavy metal) and tolerance (proline hyper-accumulation as indicator) of
these plants to heavy metals was studied. Avoidance and tolerance were
not correlated and found to be independent of total Cu accumulation. In
75% plant tolerance was correlated negatively with root growth (or
positively with root growth inhibition). These results indicate a
trade-off between root growth and proline hyper-accumulation (tolerance)
to Cu stress. Crops with higher proline accumulation (tolerance) showed
less root growth.
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