R. Gabbrielli et al., Growth, peroxidase activity and cytological modifications in Pisum sativumseedlings exposed to Ni2+ toxicity, J PLANT PHY, 155(4-5), 1999, pp. 639-645
Ni2+ accumulation and the toxic effects of Ni2+ On growth were investigated
in pea seedlings. In roots, Ni2+ absorption increased as a function of met
al supply, while in the shoots the accumulation of the metal was restricted
, particularly with higher treatments. Ten mu mol/L Ni2+ was found to be th
e lowest effective concentration to cause a significant reduction in root g
rowth. Ni2+ did not induce changes in shoot length, even though biomass pro
duction was affected in both roots and shoots. The toxic effects of Ni2+ on
K+ uptake and on water content were markedly higher in roots than in shoot
s. In the Ni-treated roots, these effects, and the concomitant increase in
phenol content and extracellular peroxidase activity with affinity towards
syringaldazine, were associated with an early induced cellular differentiat
ion. The significance of this senescent-like slate, together with other cel
lular defence mechanisms such as the stimulation of intracellular peroxidas
e activity, is discussed in relation to Ni-stress.