Increases in UV-B radiation due to reductions in the ozone layer are expected to affect plants and fungi and their interactions. In the present study, repartition of carbohydrates toward more intensive root growth and changed shoot:root ratios were seen for both the common and tartary buckwheat species. The variability of the responses in flavonoid metabolism, which provide protection against harmful UV-B radiation, might arise from pre-adaptation of the plant to environmental UV-B conditions. Reduction in the root fungal colonisation levels due to the enhanced UV-B radiation might, as a consequence, reduce the effectiveness of plant interactions with their beneficial fungal colonisers.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2515535
Accumulation, localization and distribution of Pb and mineral nutrients were investigated in roots, rhizomes and leaves of Typha latifolia, a plant species widely used for phytoremediation. The plants were treated with increasing Pb concentrations. The highest concentrations of Pb were seen in roots, with significant impact of Pb on mineral status of all organs studied. Element localization using micro-PIXE analysis demonstrated Pb accumulation in epidermal and cortical tissues of treated roots and rhizomes, while in endodermis and vascular tissues Pb was not detected. A displacement of Ca from epidermal to cortical tissues was observed in Pb treated roots and rhizomes, pointing to cell wall immobilization of Pb as one of the tolerance mechanisms in this plant species. Colocalization of Pb with P (r = 0.60), S (r = 0.37) and Zn (r = 0.70) was observed in Pb treated roots, while in rhizomes colocalization with the mentioned elements was still positive, but not that prominent. These results indicate that Pb may form complexes with phosphorus and sulfur compounds in roots and rhizomes, which may also represent attraction sites for binding Zn. Because of its large root and rhizome surface area acting as main sites for Pb adsorption, Typha latifolia may represent potentially efficient plant species for phytoremediation of Pb contaminated soils and waters.
COBISS.SI-ID: 25615911
Better understanding of the mechanisms that govern Cu uptake, distribution and tolerance in Brassica carinata plants in the presence of chelators was achieved and will help to develop progress in chelate-assisted Cu phytoextraction. B. carinata plants were treated with 30 μM or 150 μM CuSO4 or CuEDDS in hydroponic solution. In roots, the 30 μM treatments with both CuSO4 and CuEDDS resulted in higher Cu concentrations in epidermal/cortical regions. At 150 μMCuSO4, Cu was mainly accumulated in root vascular bundles, whereas with 150 μM CuEDDS, Cu was detected in endodermis and the adjacent inner cortical cell layer. Under all treatments the Cu in leaves was localised mainly in vascular tissues. The incubation of plants with 150 μMCuEDDS enhanced metal translocation to shoots, in comparison to the corresponding CuSO4 treatment. The results indicate that active mechanisms are involved in retaining Cu in the leaf vascular tissues, which prevent its transport to photosynthetically active tissues.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2558287