CADMIUM INFILTRATION OF DETACHED PEA LEAVES - EFFECT ON ITS ACTIVATEDOXYGEN-METABOLISM

The effect of infiltrating excised pea leaves with 100 mu M CdCl2 on t he activity of different antioxidative enzymes and the possible involv ement of cadmium in the generation of oxidative stress was studied. Ex cised pea leaves (Pisum sativum L., cv Lincoln) from 15-day-old plants were infiltrated with water (controls) or 100 mu M CdCl2 and then wer e incubated with the same solutions for 1, 2, and 6 days, under natura l light, at room temperature. In these conditions, Cd increased the li pid peroxidation of leaves, especially after 6 days incubation. Catala se was significantly decreased after 1 day incubation with Cd, while s uperoxide dismutase (SOD) and guaiacol peroxidase (Gpx) activities wer e increased, although changes were only significant for SOD activity. Under these conditions, the level of H2O2 in pea leaves could be incre ased as a result of Cd treatment, and it seems very likely that an oxi dative stress situation could be induced.