Combined cadmium and ozone treatments affect photosynthesis and ascorbate-dependent defences in sunflower

The combined effects of the two pollutants, cadmium and ozone, on sunflower (Helianthus annuus) metabolism are analysed here. Photosysnthetic processes and ascorbate metabolism were studied in sunflowe r plants grown for 15 d in the presence of cadmium and exposed to acute O-3 treatments. CO2 assimilation rate was reduced in plants subjected to Cd(II) and/or O-3 treatments, but no alterations in stomatal conductance and F-V : F-m ratio were observed. Rubisco activity was significantly reduced only in plants gr own in the presence of cadmium indicating that the photosynthetic process i s mainly altered by this factor. Photochemical quenching and the quantum ef ficiency of PSII in steady-state conditions were significantly depressed an d nonphotochemical quenching increased in stressed plants. Cd(II) and O-3 a lso strongly affected ascorbate metabolism. The changes in ascorbate redox state and the increase in ascorbate-redox en zymes strongly supported an ascorbate over-utilization in Cd(II) and/or O-3 -treated plants. However, the increase in ascorbate-based detoxification me chanisms did not provide complete protection against the oxidative stress i mposed by the two pollutants, since an increase in lipid peroxidation and p rotein oxidation accompanied a decrease in photosynthesis under pollutant e xposure. (C) New Phytologist (2001).