Morphological and Physiological Responses of Barley Plants Grown on Soils Characterised by Metal Toxicity and Metal Deficiency

Abstract

Aim of this work was to investigate which are the effects on barley crops grown on two different soils: a soil lacking in Cu, an essential micronutrient (A) and a naturally polluted soil rich in lead, zinc, copper (B). In particular we investigated the relationship between some ecophysiological parameters such as biomass, chlorophyll concentration and guaiacolo peroxidase activity and the chemical-physical properties of the soils like pH, organic matter and heavy metal content. Because metals uptake by plants is strongly correlated with the bioavailable fraction rather then their total amount in a soil, we have measured also metal exchangeable forms, using a single extraction method (MgCl2 as extractant). Plants grown on soil B showed a metal content higher than background limits, whereas plants grown on soil A were characterised by a background Fe and Zn concentrations and by a tolerant Pb concentration. Conversely, Cu content in tissues of plants grown in soil A is found to be under the background limits. Copper-deficiency plants present chlorotic leaves followed by a reduced clorophyll content, while plants grown on metals contaminated soil showed an increase of peroxidase activity.

Anther Culture Effectiveness in Producing Doubled Haploids of Cereals/ Putekðòu Kultûras Efektivitâte Graudaugu Dubultoto Haploîdu Izveidoðanâ

“…Copper deficiency is a reason for male sterility, especially in cereals (Dell, 1981;Jewell et al, 1988). Copper is required for chlorophyll biosynthesis and photosynthesis (Maksymic, 1997), copper deficiency induces chlorosis in leaves, and results in decrease of chlorophyll content (Deriu et al, 2007). In anther culture, copper deficiency is associated with increased formation of albino plants (Jacquard et al, 2009).…”

Determination of lead and cadmium concentration limits in agricultural soil and municipal solid waste compost through an approach of zero tolerance to food contamination

“…Hence, in the uncontaminated study area, Pb and Cd concentrations in soil and plant tissue are expected to follow a normal Gaussian distribution in the uncontaminated study area. Deriu et al (2007) also observed concentrations of several heavy metals in barley plants to follow a Gaussian distribution.…”

Influence of Copper Sulphate on Anther Culture for Haploid Production in African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)

“…Copper also has a major influence on in vitro plant physiology [18,19,21]. "Copper deficiency induces chlorosis in leaves, and results in decrease of chlorophyll content" [37]. "Previous investigations have shown that, although plants accumulate copper only in small amounts, this element has great importance in plant metabolism.…”