The influence of cadmium and lead on Ulmus pumila L. seed germination and early seedling growth

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to examine how the heavy metals cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) influence the germination and early growth of seedlings of the fast-growing tree species Ulmus pumila L. Seeds were germinated and seedlings were hydroponically grown in a solution with Cd-nitrate and Pb-nitrate at concentrations of 20 ?M, 50 ?M and 90 ?M. Our results show that seeds can germinate in the presence of these two heavy metals at all of the applied concentrations with no significant reduction in qualitative (germination capacity, germination energy) or quantitative (germination intensity, mean germination period) germination parameters as compared to the controls. Early seedling development was also possible at higher concentrations of both heavy metals. Cd reduced hypocotyl length, but not significantly the length of radicles. Pb did not influence hypocotyl length and stimulated radicle length significantly (95%). These results could mark a step forward in defining the tolerance of U. pumila to the presence of Cd and Pb, and to the possibility of using this fast-growing tree which is resistant to different abiotic and biotic stresses, for phytoremediation or soil reclamation purposes. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 43007]

Transcriptome Analysis of Elm (Ulmus pumila) Fruit to Identify Phytonutrients Associated Genes and Pathways

“…Plant fruits are an important source of naturally active phytonutrients which reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and cancer [3,[37][38][39][40]. U. pumila is used as traditional medicine and its fruit is considered a natural plant food in China rich in nutritional substances (proteins, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals) [15,[41][42][43]. Although chemical, medical, and physiological evidence has been published for elm roots, leaves, and fruits, the molecular and genetic mechanism of its phytonutrient-associated metabolic processes remain unknown.…”

Differences in stress defence mechanisms in germinating seeds of Pinus sylvestris exposed to various lead chemical forms

“…), Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) De Wit and Delonix regia Bojer Raf., [13,14]. We observed a change in root growth dynamics under the influence of Pb in both chemical forms ( Table 1).…”

“…It has been proven so far that heavy metals, including Pb, in germinating seeds cause: reducing their nutrient reserves by immobilizing starch as a result of reducing or inhibiting proteases and α-amylases [7], inhibiting germination by hindering water absorption [8], delaying seedling growth, decreasing germination percentage, germination index, root /shoot length, tolerance index and dry mass of roots and shoots, generating oxidative stress and decreasing chlorophyll content [9]. To date, the toxicity of Pb and various other ions such as Cu, Zn, Cd and Hg, has been studied in accordance with seed germination and the seedling emergency test, mainly for monocotyledons [8] or the Arabidopsis model plant [10], though relatively few tests have been conducted for different trees [11][12][13][14]. However, the above-mentioned studies focus mainly on the growth parameters of seedlings, and not on biochemical and physiological changes in germinating seeds.…”

Phylogeny, habitat together with biological and ecological factors can influence germination of 36 subalpine Rhododendron species from the eastern Tibetan Plateau

“…Seed germination represents an important life stage and can influence community dynamics (Zeng, Wang, Baskin, & Baskin, ; Zhou et al., ), lifetime fitness (Dukic, Dunisijevic‐Bojovic, & Samuilov, ), and life history characteristics (Wang et al., ). It is essential to study seed germination when examining reproductive strategies and evolutionary ecology (Baskin & Baskin, ).…”