Cadmium toxicity affects photosynthesis and plant growth at different levels

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Dias, MC (Author) Other; Monteiro, C (Author) Other; Moutinho Pereira, J (Author) Other; Correia, C (Author) Other; Goncalves, B (Author) Other; Santos, C (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Acta Physiologiae Plantarum

Vol. 35

Pages: 1281-1289

ISSN: 0137-5881

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 206 Citations

Scopus - 237 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-005-2A6

DOI: 10.1007/s11738-012-1167-8

Abstract (EN): In this article we discuss and update some of the effects of Cd toxicity on the photosynthetic apparatus in a model crop Lactuca sativa. Seeds of L. sativa were germinated in solutions with 0, 1, 10 and 50 mu M of Cd(NO3)(2) and then transferred to a hydroponic culture medium. After 28 days, the effects of Cd on the photosynthetic apparatus of lettuce were analysed. Exposure of lettuce to 1 mu M Cd(NO3)(2) affected already plant growth (dry biomass), but, did not induce serious damages in the photosynthetic apparatus. However, increasing concentrations of this metal to 10 and 50 mu M promoted a strong reduction of the maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII and an impairment of net CO2 assimilation rate, putatively due to Rubisco activity decrease. This ultimately results in a strong inhibition of plant growth. Nutrient uptake and carbohydrate assimilation were also severely affected by Cd.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9