Physiological response of maize to arsenic contamination

• Published in: Biologia plantarum Vol. 47; no. 3; pp. 449 - 452
• Main Authors: Stoeva, N, Berova, M, Zlatev, Z. (Agricultural Univ., Plovdiv (Bulgaria))
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.11.2003
• Subjects: ACTIVIDAD ENZIMÁTICA; ACTIVITÉ ENZYMATIQUE; ARSENIC; ARSÉNICO; CAROTENOIDS; CAROTINOIDES; CAROTÉNOÏDE; CHLOROPHYLLE; CHLOROPHYLLS; CLOROFILAS; CONTENIDO PROTEICO; CRECIMIENTO; CROISSANCE; ENZYME ACTIVITY; ESTRES; FLUORESCENCE; FLUORESCENCIA; FOTOSÍNTESIS; GAS EXCHANGE; GROWTH; INTERCAMBIO DE GASES; LIPID PEROXIDATION; PEROXIDACIÓN LIPÍDICA; PEROXIDASES; PEROXÍDASAS; PHOTOSYNTHESIS; PHOTOSYNTHÈSE; PLANTULAS; PLANTULE; PROTEIN CONTENT; PÉROXYDASE; PÉROXYDATION DES LIPIDES; RACINE; RAÍCES; ROOTS; SEEDLINGS; STRESS; TENEUR EN PROTÉINES; ZEA MAYS; ÉCHANGE GAZEUX
• ISSN: 0006-3134; 1573-8264
• DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023893.12939.48

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of As on some physiological parameters of maize in the early growth phases. Seedlings grown in a climatic box in a Hoagland-Arnon nutrient solution were treated with 0, 2 and 5 mg(As)/cubic dm (pH 5.5). After 5 d of As treatment the changes in growth, leaf gas-exchange, chlorophyll (Chl) content, Chl fluorescence, peroxidase activity and lipid peroxidation in roots were recorded. The applied As decreased the growth, leaf area, and biomass accumulation, induced lipid peroxidation and increased peroxidase activity, especially at concentration 5 mg(As)/cubic dm. It also decreased the Chl, carotenoid (Car) and protein contents. A decrease in the variable to maximum fluorescence ratio (Fv/Fm) indicated lower photosynthetic efficiency.