Effects of Cd and Pb in sugar beet plants grown in nutrient solution: induced Fe deficiency and growth inhibition

• DOI: 10.1071/fp02090
• Publication Date: 2003-03-06T17:38:28Z
• Authors: Ajmi Larbi; Fermín Morales; Anunciación Abadía; Yolanda Gogorcena; Juan J. Lucena; Javier Abadía
• Keywords: Hydroponics; Violaxanthin; Dry weight; Plant Physiology; Chenopodiaceae

Effects of Cd and Pb toxicity were investigated in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) grown hydroponics under growth-chamber-controlled conditions. Chemical speciation calculations used to estimate the chemical species equilibrium. Cd, as chloride salt or chelated EDTA, decreased fresh dry mass both root shoot, increased / shoot ratios. Plants developed few brownish roots with short laterals. N, P, Mg, K, Mn, Cu Zn uptake, facilitated Ca uptake. Leaves plants treated 10 50 μM Cd–EDTA CdCl2 symptoms Fe deficiency. These included leaf chlorophyll (Chl) carotenoid concentrations, Chl a/b ratios, de-epoxidation violaxanthin cycle pigments, photosynthetic rates PSII efficiency. CdCl2, however, had growth but did not show marked Fe-deficiency symptoms. All treatments Fe(III)-chelate reductase activity tips, although concentrations shoots similar those found control plants. EDTA induced visual only at 2 mM. Pb-treated remained green their edges rolled inwards. no changes mass, therefore increasing ratio. Changes plant nutrient minor, levels approached critical deficiency levels. No apparent leaves. Root tips plants, activities.