CAN ANTHOCYANINS BE CONSIDERED AS HEAVY-METAL STRESS INDICATOR IN HIGHER-PLANTS

The observed influence of some environmental stresses on the level of anthocyanins in higher plants raised the question whether these common flavonoids can be heavy metal stress indicators. The experiments on t he effect of cadmium, nickel, lead and zinc on the content of anthocya nins in the first leaves of rye seedlings have clearly shown that it w as not directly related to the individual metal toxicity, i.e. the mor e toxic is the metal the less anthocyanins is accumulated. Instead of anthocyanin test, the determination of the level of chlorophyll and to tal carotenoids is postulated as a simple and reliable indicator of he avy metal toxicity for higher plants.