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Elevated zinc concentrations did not induce thiols in spinach ( Spinacia oleracea ) and parsley ( Petroselinum crispum )
Author(s) -
Krippner Johanna,
Schubert Sven
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of plant nutrition and soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1522-2624
pISSN - 1436-8730
DOI - 10.1002/jpln.202000537
Subject(s) - spinach , spinacia , cadmium , chemistry , zinc , cultivar , toxicity , thiol , metal toxicity , botany , horticulture , food science , biochemistry , biology , organic chemistry , chloroplast , gene
Background Plants evolved various mechanisms to cope with metal stress. Cadmium (Cd) exposure specifically induces the synthesis of thiol‐rich substances such as phytochelatins. Due to the chemical similarity of Cd and zinc (Zn), similar detoxification mechanisms for both metals are under discussion. Aim We conducted a nutrient solution experiment to investigate thiol accumulation of parsley ( Petroselinum crispum) and spinach ( Spinacia oleracea ) cultivars at different metal toxicity levels in vivo . Methods Three metal treatments were applied: 1 µM Zn (control), 10 µM Zn, and 1 µM Zn + 1 µM Cd. After 10 days, thiol accumulation in parsley and spinach cultivars, which differ in their Zn tissue tolerance, was measured. Results Spinach and parsley cultivars differed in metal uptake, translocation, and resistance. In spinach, Cd application induced more severe toxicity symptoms and biomass reduction than Zn. Cadmium toxicity was more pronounced in spinach than in parsley due to higher Cd translocation of spinach cultivars. Despite comparable Zn tissue concentrations, parsley did not show any Zn toxicity symptoms. Due to lower Cd tissue concentrations, only a slight browning of parsley roots was found after Cd treatment. Whereas Cd application induced thiol synthesis in both plant species, Zn excess did not. Conclusion As elevated Zn concentrations in plant tissues did not induce thiol synthesis, a contribution of phytochelatins to Zn homeostasis and detoxification was excluded.