5. Comparative Study of Cadmium and Zinc Toxic Effects on the Cell Redox Status of Durum Wheat Plants

Author: Lyubka Koleva-Valkova, Andon Vasilev, Ann Cuypers, Jaco Vangronsveld

DOI: n/a

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) were applied to durum wheat seedlings on hydroponics in concentrations of 50 μM and 600 μM respectively, causing about 50% relative growth inhibition (RGI) at the end of a 10-day-exposure period. Both metals provoked visual toxicity symptoms such as root browning and leaf chlorosis in Cd-exposed seedlings and root colour lightening and leaf necrotic spots in Zn-exposed seedlings. On a biochemical level, the apparent phytotoxicity was accompanied by oxidative stress-related responses such as increased lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage as well as increased activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase.