Nickel toxicity and peroxidase activity in seedlings of Triticum aestivum L.

Ni2+ toxicity was evaluated in Triticum aestivum L. by its effects on root and shoot length, dry matter production and water content. Over a threshold value of 20 mmol m 3 Ni2+ the degree of toxicity increases as a function of the Ni2+ concentration in the medium. Ni2+-treated roots show enhanced lipid peroxidation; the higher Ni2+ treatment (40mmol m 3) also increases leakage of K+. In roots and shoots, Ni2+ enhances both guaiacol and syringaldazine extracellular peroxidase activity. The increase in extracellular peroxidase activity is also associated with an increase in the phenolic contents of roots and shoots. The observed growth inhibition might be partly the result of the effect of Ni2+ on cell turgor and cell-wall extensibility. Intracellular soluble peroxidases are also stimulated by Ni2+; such effects, independently of the substrate, were detected in extracts of Ni2+-treated shoots at a lower Ni2+ concentration than in the roots. Intracellular peroxidases might act as scavengers of peroxide radicals produced as a result of nickel toxicity

Produção de matéria seca, crescimento radicular e absorção de cálcio, fósforo e alumínio por coffea canephora e coffea arabica sob influência da atividade do alumínio em solução Dry matter production, root growth and calcium, phosphorus and aluminum absorption by coffea canephora and coffea arabica under influence of aluminum activity in solution

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a produção de matéria seca, o crescimento radicular e a absorção e distribuição do Ca, P e Al nas folhas, no caule e nas raízes de dois clones de café conilon (Coffea canephora) (Mtl 25 e Mtl 27) e de uma variedade de café Catuaí Amarelo (Coffea arabica), cultivados em solução nutritiva com atividade crescente de Al3+. As plantas foram cultivadas em vasos com capacidade para 5 L, contendo solução nutritiva de Hoagland & Arnon, modificada. Após oito dias de adaptação, as plantas foram submetidas a concentrações de Al de 0, 500, 1.000 e 2.000 µmol L-1, que corresponderam a atividades de Al3+ em solução, estimadas pelo software GEOCHEM, de 20,68, 50,59, 132,9 e 330,4 µmol L-1, respectivamente. Foram determinados os teores de Ca, Al e P na planta. O sistema radicular foi separado, para determinação da área e do comprimento. A variedade Catuaí Amarelo (Coffea arabica) apresentou-se menos sensível ao Al3+, quando comparada aos clones de conilon (Coffea canephora). O clone de conilon Mtl 25 foi menos sensível ao Al3+ em relação ao Mtl 27. O aumento da atividade de Al3+ promoveu redução nos teores de P e Ca nas folhas e raízes do cafeeiro, especialmente nos clones Mtl 25 e Mtl 27. O acúmulo de Al no sistema radicular e a restrição do transporte para a parte aérea são importantes fatores na tolerância de plantas ao Al3+.<br>This study had the objective of evaluating the dry matter production, root growth, and the absorption and distribution of Ca, P and Al in the leaves, stem and roots of two Conilon (Coffea canephora) coffee clones (Mtl 25 and Mtl 27) and the coffee variety Catuaí Amarelo (Coffea arabica) grown in nutrient solution with increasing Al3+ activity. The plants were cultivated in 5 L pots, containing modified Hoagland & Arnold nutrient solution. After eight days of adaptation, the plants were subjected to Al concentrations of 0, 500, 1.000 and 2.000 mol L-1, which corresponded to Al3+ activities of 20.68, 50.59, 132.9, and 330.4 mmol L-1, respectively in solution, estimated by the program GEOCHEM. The Ca, Al and P contents were quantified. The root system was separated to estimate area and length. The variety Catuaí Amarelo (Arabic Coffea) was less Al3+ sensitive than the Conilon (Coffea canephora) clones and Conilon Mtl 25 clone was less Al3+ sensitive than Mtl 27. A higher Al3+ activity resulted in a reduction of the P and Ca content in the coffee leaves and roots, especially in the clones Mtl 25 and Mtl 27. Al accumulation in the root system and the restriction of the transport to the aerial part are important factors in Al3+ tolerance of coffee plants