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Chromium and aluminum phytotoxicity in maize: morpho-physiological responses and metal uptake

Citation

Anjum, SA and Ashraf, U and Khan, I and Tanveer, M and Ali, M and Hussain, I and Wang, LC, Chromium and aluminum phytotoxicity in maize: morpho-physiological responses and metal uptake, Clean - Soil, Air, Water, 44, (8) pp. 1075-1084. ISSN 1863-0669 (2016) [Refereed Article]

Copyright Statement

Copyright 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

DOI: doi:10.1002/clen.201500532

Abstract

The present study investigated the uptake, translocation, and accumulation of chromium (Cr6+) and aluminum (Al3+) in maize and their induced variations in morpho-physiological and biochemical attributes as well as growth behavior and yield formation. Plants were grown in pots supplied with heavy metals, alone and in combination (chromium (Cr), aluminum (Al) and chromium + aluminum (Cr + Al)) while pots without adding Cr or Al were regarded as control. Metal stress considerably reduced growth and yield related attributes as well as photosynthetic pigments of maize. However, production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), thiobarbituric acid and activities of ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and ascorbic acid were substantially increased under Cr and Al stress. A significant increase in soluble sugars and total phenolic contents were recorded in plants exposed to Cr and Al stress. Furthermore, all physiological attributes were increased with plant age except chlorophyll. Interestingly, Cr alone was proved more toxic to maize than Al alone. Cr and Al accumulation varied significantly (p ≤ 0.05) among different plant organs as roots > stem > leaves > corn ear > grains, whereas degrees of translocations were higher from stem to other plant parts than roots to stem. Accumulation of Cr and Al in either above- or below-ground plant parts are negatively correlated with grains and biological yield. The overall trend of metal stress on plant growth and yield were perceived as: Cr + Al > Cr > Al > control. Furthermore, synergistic effects of Cr + Al were more prominent than the individual effects of Cr and Al alone.

Item Details

Item Type:Refereed Article
Keywords:antioxidant enzymes, growth, heavy metals, metal accumulation, yield
Research Division:Biological Sciences
Research Group:Plant biology
Research Field:Plant physiology
Objective Division:Plant Production and Plant Primary Products
Objective Group:Other plant production and plant primary products
Objective Field:Other plant production and plant primary products not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:Tanveer, M (Mr Mohsin Tanveer)
ID Code:117693
Year Published:2016
Web of Science® Times Cited:34
Deposited By:Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture
Deposited On:2017-06-23
Last Modified:2017-10-04
Downloads:0

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