Photosynthetic activity of Daucus carota L. subsp. sativus (Hoffm.) Schübl. & G. Martens and Triticum aestivum L. in the presence of copper and vanadium ions

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of copper and vanadium ions on photosynthetic activity of carrot (Daucus carota L. subsp. sativus (Hoffm.) Schübl. & G. Martens) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Measurements of the total chlorophyll content were performed – the SPAD chlorometer and the basic chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters were determined using the FMS-1 fluorometer – Hansatech. The studies used aqueous solutions of copper salt (CuSO4) and vanadium (H4NO3V), with molar concentrations: 0.6 mM, and 3 mM. The control group consisted of plants watered with distilled water. Both in carrots and in wheat, together with an increase in the concentration of heavy metal ions, a decrease in the content of chlorophyll was observed and significant changes in the activity of the photosystem were demonstrated II. Measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics and only in D. carota subsp. sativus showed a statistically significant effect of 3 mM solutions of copper and vanadium ions on photosynthetic activity. In T. aestivum none of the heavy metal ions induced significant changes in the values of chlorophyll a fluorescence.