Metabolism biochemical of young plants of Ucuúba (Virola surinamensis) in the presence of cadmium

Abstract

The increased cadmium (Cd) concentration in the environment, caused especially by mining residues and excessive use of phosphate fertilizers, can cause serious imbalances in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. High levels of Cd in the soil commonly causes many stress symptoms in plants. and nutritional imbalance between carbon and nitrogen metabolism.The aim of this study was to assess the Nitrogen and Carbon metabolism of young plants of Ucuúba (Virola surinamensis) in the presence of cadmium with the perspective of the phytoremediation of contaminated environments. The used experimental design was a completely randomized design with five Cd concentrations (0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 mg L − 1), for 60 days. In general, Cd did not affect nitrate concentration in the root but had a positive effect on leaves. The reduction of nitrate reductase (NR) in plants exposed to Cd was followed by a decrease in ammonia, total soluble amino acids (TSA), and total soluble proteins (TSP). Cd promoted an increase in the concentration of total soluble carbohydrates (TSC), proline, sucrose, and reducing sugars in the plants. V. surinamensis presented a higher self-protection capacity in the form of bioaccumulation of total soluble carbohydrates, sucrose, and proline, important for its tolerance to the presence of Cd.