engleski

The effect of nickel stress on snake's head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris L.)

Snake's head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris L.) is an endangered and protected plant species in the family Liliaceae mainly inhabiting moist grasslands. As a result of negative anthropogenic impacts such as ameliorization and urbanization, the habitats rapidly disappear and/or are affected by pollutants such as heavy metals. The aim of the study is to estimate level of sensitivity and/or resistance of snake's head fritillary to nickel (Ni), a metabolically important microelement though also toxic when present at excessive amounts in soil. Plants grown in culture conditions were subjected to increasing Ni concentrations (0-5 mM) for four weeks. Relative growth rate (RGR) and certain indicators of oxidative stress - soluble proteins, malondialdehyde content and antioxidant enzyme activities were measured. A decrease of RGR based on fresh weight and protein content was noted in response to growing Ni concentrations (0-5 mM) whereas malondialdehyde (indicator of lipid peroxidation) content increased. Antioxidant response was observed under Ni stress, with large increases in catalase and peroxidases. The results suggest induction of oxidative stress under Ni toxicity, but also demonstrate capacity of F. meleagris to upregulate its antioxidative defense, thus indicating certain degree of plant's tolerance to Ni exposure.

Fritillaria meleagris L.; heavy metals; malondialdehyde; catalase; peroxidase

nije evidentirano