Uptake, localisation and physiological changes in response to copper excess in Erica andevalensis

Abstract

Copper uptake, localisation and biochemical and physiological traits were studied in hydroponically-grown Erica andevalensis plants at different increasing concentrations of Cu (1 µM, 50 µM, 100 µM, 250 µM, and 500 µM). Increasing Cu concentration in the nutrient medium led to a significative reduction in plant growth rate, an increase in root Cu concentration, leaf photosynthetic pigments and root peroxidase activity. Copper accumulation followed the pattern roots>stems>leaves, a typical behaviour of metal-excluders. Copper treatments led to significant changes in the free amino acid composition in shoots and roots and the concentration of polyamines in shoots. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy coupled with elemental X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) showed a partial restriction of upward Cu transport by root vascular tissues. In leaf tissues, Cu mostly accumulated in the abaxial epidermis, suggesting a mechanism of compartmentalization to restrict mesophyll accumulation. The toxic effects of excess Cu were avoided to a certain extent by root immobilization, tissue compartmentalization, synthesis of complexing amino acids and induction of enzymes to prevent oxidative damage are among mechanisms adopted by Erica andevalensis to thrive in acidic-metalliferous soils.

Effects of excess copper in vineyard soils on the mineral nutrition of potato genotypes

“…These disturbances can result in cell damage, such as the peroxidation of membrane lipids, leading to ion leakage (Rossini Oliva et al. ) and further accumulation of Cu in the plant tissues (Cao et al. ).…”

“…However, above a certain concentration threshold, progressive root decay may result in plant death due to the toxic effect of Cu on cell membranes (Rossini Oliva et al. ). Therefore, the accumulation of Cu in produced tubers may be an alternative mechanism of reducing Cu concentrations in the root system, which tends to be minor in potato relative to other plant species.…”

“…These alterations can result in cell damage, including the peroxidation of membrane lipids, thus leading to ion leakage (Rossini Oliva et al. ) and further accumulation of Cu in plant tissues. Cao and Hu () found elevated Cu concentrations in brown rice (15.5 mg/kg), exceeding the maximum permissible concentration of Cu in grains of 10 mg/kg (FAO ) , when the concentration of Cu reached 101.2 mg/kg in a paddy soil.…”

Possible Application of the Medicinal Plant Hyoscyamus albus in Phytoremediation: Excess Copper Compensates for Iron Deficiency, Depending on the Light Conditions

“…The most common cellular mechanisms of Cu tolerance are binding of the metal ion to the cell wall, allocation into vacuoles and incorporation into cellular components such as proteins and phenolics [30]. In Daucus carota [31], most of the Cu was found to be sequestered in the cell wall.…”

Metal Anomaly Prospection at Cerrado. Example for the use of Si-Phytoliths as anomaly indicators at Riacho dos Machado Region, Minas Gerais, Brazil

“…According to Wilding & Drees (1971) these Phytoliths are also able to concentrate significant quantities of heavy metals in compatible magnitude to their distribution in the soil. Jaffre et al (1976), Raven (1983) and Rossini-Oliva et al (2009) show the processes of uptake and deposition of heavy metal in selected plants.…”